Heather Jo Zigler (Murnion), age 34, of Rock Falls, Illinois, formerly from Jordan, Montana, fought her final battle on July 3, 2023 at U Chicago Medicine.
Heather was born in Billings, Montana on January 7, 1989 to Pat and Cathy Murnion, joining older brother Adam and later, younger sister Alyson. She was born with Truncus Arteriosus, a congenital heart defect, and flown the Denver that night. She had her first surgery at 6 days old on a Friday the 13th (which she always considered her lucky number). Heather would go on to have two more surgeries at 9 years old and 14 years old leading to a heart transplant at 33 years old. After a year long fight with the help of many loved ones, she left this earth with her husband and mother by her side.
Heather’s first 7 years were spent on the ranch on the Ingomar gumbo. The family moved to Jordan in 1995 where Heather would grow up and graduate from Garfield County District High School in 2007. Growing up Heather was always busy with her sister and their cousin Rebecca. Fishing trips with her dad in the summer were always a must. Rubber band fights with homemade rubber band guns made by her brother were epic. She was active in 4H and sports up until her heart surgery at 14 years old. In high school Heather loved her time spent in Speech and Drama. Heather had a passion for her horses and her dogs.
At a young age Heather fell in love with Garth Brooks, often watching hours of his music videos on VHS.In 1998 Heather was granted a Make a Wish, giving her the opportunity to meet Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood at a concert in Billings. She always felt as though Garth gave her some of her strength during hospital visits. In 2017, she renewed her acquaintance with Garth and Trisha when they came back to Billings, he cried when he saw her again.
Heather married the love of her life, Sam Zigler, two times. Their first wedding was October 19 , 2013 at the hospital in Denver and again on June 13, 2014 in the same church Pat and Cathy were married in. Her greatest joy came on January 24, 2014 with the birth of her son, S.J., in Denver.
Heather’s favorite name was mama. She thrived on watching S.J. grow and find the things that he loved. Because of him, her and Sam are quite the dinosaur experts and Mario aficionados. S.J. has become active in many sports, and even though Heather always swore she wouldn’t become a crazy sports mom, she did it with an abundance of love and pride in her son.
Heather loved her family more than anything in the world. She was always so proud of her siblings and her nephews. Her mom meant the world to her and Heather considered her her rock in her life.
Heather is survived by her husband Samuel Zigler and son S.J. of Rock Falls, Illinois, her parents, Pat and Cathy Murnion of Jordan, MT, grandmother Joan Weygandt of Lake Odessa, Michigan, brother Adam (Ashley) Murnion of Miles City, MT, and sister Alyson (Brandon) Eggart of Billings MT, Nephews and nieces Kellin and Kain Murnion of Miles City, Sophia and Channing Brewer, Noah, Ariah, and Micah Fields, mother in law Pat Zigler, Father in law Kevin Zigler, and Sister in laws Sarah (Ryan) Fields and Whitney (Andrew) Brewer. She also leaves behind special cousin and best friend Rebecca Hoverson along with numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Heather was preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, Marvin Weygandt, paternal grandparents Barney and Loriene Murnion, and three cousins Luke, Kent, and Trent.
A Rosary will be held on Wednesday, July 12, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. at St. John’s the Baptist Catholic Church in Jordan. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, July 13, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John’s the Baptist Catholic Church in Jordan. Rite of Committal will follow in the Pioneer Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorials mays be givens for her son, S.J. Zigler education.
Service Schedule
Rosary Service
6:00 p.m.
Wednesday July 12, 2023
St. John's the Baptist Catholic Church
Jordan, Montana 59337
Funeral Mass
11:00 a.m.
Thursday July 13, 2023
St. John's the Baptist Catholic Church
Jordan, Montana 59337
Service Schedule
Rosary Service
6:00 p.m.
Wednesday July 12, 2023
St. John's the Baptist Catholic Church
Jordan, Montana 59337
Funeral Mass
11:00 a.m.
Thursday July 13, 2023
St. John's the Baptist Catholic Church
Jordan, Montana 59337
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Mitzi Beecher says
Thinking of you all on this difficult time god bless you all prayers.🙏🏼
Steven and Lavonne MacDonald says
Our deepest sympathies for your loss. May you find comfort in Gods loving arms, and all the wonderful memories.
Love and Blessings Steven and Lavonne
Curt & Darci Wiley says
We are thinking of you and wishing you moments of peace and comfort. I hope your memories will help you through this difficult time.
Rod Coulter says
Psalms 73:26 – My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
May God Bless your families.
Rod & Lorri Coulter
Bruce & Kathy Ziebarth says
Pat, Cathy, Adam and Alyson: Words cannot express the loss of a child and sibling. Heather is no longer struggling and in pain. She is in Heaven with God and the Angels celebrating her life. She will ever be missed by her loving family and friends. Sending our sympathy.
JoAnn (Murnion) Feger says
Pat, Cathy, Adam and Alyson, May you sense God’s deep peace and comfort as you go through this season of loss. He is the great comforter and as you reach out to Jesus, He wil surely love on you and guide you with loving care. Psalm 91 “Abide in the shelter of the Almighty”
Louise Twitchell says
Sorry for your loss. Heather was a great warrior. May you all have peace at this time. 🙏
Lori Murnion says
So sorry for your loss. Heather will be missed by so many, she was an amazing young lady. I so loved working with her at the Health Center. You are all in our thoughts and Prayers.
Karen Barnes says
My hearet goes out to each and everyone of you in your loss – may all the good memories help to comfort you at this sad time. Heather was such a trooper through all she had to go through – she will always be remembered by all who knew her. God be with you and Bless you all.
Annette Gorton says
Deepest condolences to the Murnion family. May loving memories give you peace and comfort in the midst of your grief.
DJ and Gloria Rath Milroy says
Most heartfelt condolences with all of Heather’s loved ones. May our Lord walk with each of you.
Glenn Crawford says
My condolences to Heathers family and her friends.
David Gibson says
Pat, Cathy, Adam and Alyson, So sorry for your loss, my condolences.
Bob Smith and family says
Our heart felt sympathy to the family of heather
Phil and Darlene Shawver says
CONDOLENCES AND PRAYERS FOR ALL OF HEATHER’S FAMILY . SHE HAD A LONG ROE TO HOE SHE FOUGHT A LONG HARD FIGHT SHE WILL BE REMEMBERED BY ALL WHO KNEW HER . HANG ON TO ALL OF THE MEMEMORIES AND SHARE ALL THE GOOD THOUGHTS WITH THAT LITTLE GUY .IT IS NEVER EASY TO LOSE SOMEONE SO CLOSE TO YOU IF WE CAN HELP IN ANY WAY WE ARE HERE FOR YOU . MAY GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU .
Lynn Ziebarth says
So sorry got this news late but want you to know I’m thinking of you during these difficult time’s. May time heal and the reunion some day be great!