Laura Jean Sanwald, age 98 of Miles City, passed away in the early morning hours Monday, March 2, 2020 at The Holy Rosary Extended Care in Miles City, MT. This became her new home after she fractured her hip in June of 2013. She had truly been happy with life, with the gathering of old and new friends, until the last few months.
Laura was the second daughter born to Lars and Jenny Villanger coming along 9 years after sister Berneice (our Aunty “B”) on February 14, 1922. She always said she was her Mom’s comic Valentine. She loved the fact that she got to celebrate the whole month of February in her new home at ECU! Laura just wanted to make it to her 98th birthday and have shrimp, cake and ice cream at the Airport Inn on Valentine Day! She told her Tuesday & Sunday pinochle partner Paul’s daughter Linda, that she couldn’t confirm on a card-playing date because she had a date with Floyd soon. Thank you, Linda & Paul for adopting Mom into your cardplaying family!
Laura graduated from Custer County High School in 1939. On Columbus Day October 12, 1940, she married her “forever love” Floyd Sanwald at the First Lutheran Church in Miles City. Floyd passed away on June 27, 2012 so they didn’t get to celebrate their 72nd anniversary that year! The newlyweds made their home in Miles City where they both worked until Floyd enlisted in the US Army Air Force on July 8, 1941. He went to Rapid City, SD for training, then was in England until December, 1945. Laura was always busy; she worked at F.W. Woolworth Co. off and on well into the 70’s. She always said she went through 10 managers—never knew exactly what that meant! Laura and Floyd raised two daughters, Cheryl (Bill) Ziebarth of Kinsey and Marcy (John) Ostby of Las Vegas, NV. Dad always told us he was happy with his girls, since he had to raise his three younger brothers! Laura was a people person. Floyd and Laura worked hard and played hard — they had a great life together. When she wasn’t working at the Dime Store; she baked pies for $1.00 each to sell to the Bowling Alley. She loved baking special birthday and wedding cakes, and her passion was making all the special Norwegian Christmas cookies, especially when baking with her older sister, Berneice! She loved to play cards at the family gatherings and she may have considered it a priority! She loved playing cards with her grandkids, and they knew that Grandma Laura never allowed cheating and she always played to win! — No matter what game was involved! Laura’s need -to-win carried on to her visits to the ECU activities room!
In 2000, Papa Floyd started into the early stages of Alzheimers and Laura watched over him, trying to keep him active and engaged in life and lovingly took care of him at home until Dec 2011 when he required more care than she was physically able to contend with while going through her own health issues. Family and friends were there to lend a hand, but Mom spent 24/7 with Floyd before he went into Extended Care.
Laura is survived by her two daughters Cheryl & husband Bill Ziebarth of Kinsey, MT and Marcy and husband John Ostby of Las Vegas, NV. Grandchildren; Nikki Jo Irvin of Shelby, MT and children Jordyn & Bree Irvin and great great grandson Kamden of Great Falls, Mt, Marcus & Damon Irvin of Shelby MT; Tammy & Brian Dennis of Laurel, MT and their children Rylee Jo, Cody & Christopher; Scott and Arnica Ziebarth of Kinsey, MT and their children Zaylee, Izak, and Kyzer; Chad & Karissa Benoit of Parker, CO and their children Van & Josie; Amanda & Dean Novasad of North Kingstown, RI and their children Ashtyn & Devon; Jennifer & Lance Lemon of Minot ND and son Jayce; Justine (Mitch) Ostby and son Owen of Alexandria, MN; and Jeremy Ostby of Grand Forks, MN. Also, Laura’s niece (daughter of her heart) Sandra, & husband Sid Strong and son Jason & family of Rochester, MN. Also, Laura’s great niece, Allison Rowles and family of Glendive, MT and great nephew Brandon Waggener and family of Losonville, IN. Laura was preceeded in death, by her husband Floyd, her parents, Lars and Jenny Villanger, mother in-law Emma Kapphan; her sister Berneice, brother in law Williard Waggener, her nephew Bruce and his wife Connie Waggener and great nephew, Michael Carey.
Laura & Floyd’s family would like to thank all the life-long and new family and friends who have always been ready to step up when we needed an extra hand with the folk’s well-being. Sanwald’s wonderful neighbors, the Moline family, who watched over them for years. We cannot begin to express enough gratitude and thanks to Holy Rosary ECU’s wonderful and caring staff starting with the administrative offices, all the day & nighttime RN’s and CNA’s, June & Lori, (Laura’s go-to-girls), Linda & Vicki, who kept Mom’s room # 32 to her liking, all the dining and kitchen staff who made sure all the residents are well-fed and treated to fancy desserts to top everything off! Last but not forgotten, thank you, thank you to all the activities ladies that keep all the residents busy and happy each and every day! Grandma Laura loved those quarters and all the cute little stuffed animals! Hats off to all of Miles City’s organizations, businesses, churches who volunteer their time and resources to entertain each month of the year. Also, to all the wonderful musicians coming in on Fridays to bring the joy of their music to the residents!! Mom loved it!
Thank you to Holly and her Hospice Staff for their extra help, kindness and flowers during Mom’s difficult days. It was so hard for Mom to give up her independence as you all know!! Thank you for giving Laura a safe, loving home in her room #32 for almost seven years! A special thank you to Loretta for her lifetime friendship and her wonderful family for adopting her into the Lala family, sharing their hugs, time and laughter with Mom! Thank you to Linda & her Dad Paul for rounding up pinochle partners for Tuesday & Sundays so Mom could enjoy her cards! BLESS YOU ALL- Laura’s Family
Visitation will be held on Friday, March 13, 2020 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home with family receiving friends from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 14, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will follow in the family lot of the Custer County Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Memorials can be made to Holy Rosary Extended Care Unit activities program or to First Lutheran Church’s Radio Broadcast.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday March 13, 2020
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m.
Saturday March 14, 2020
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday March 13, 2020
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m.
Saturday March 14, 2020
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
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Sandi Kohones and Jon Wilkerson says
We are so saddened to see that Laura passed. I’m so happy to have visited her on her recent birthday. She was such a joy to visit! She will be missed !
Dolores Meidinger Willson says
To all of Laura’s family:
My sincere sympathy in the loss of your wonderful, loving, caring Mother & Grandmother. All the special memories will comfort & keep you as you go on without her.
Reg, Kally, Joseph and Ethan says
Hope she got to go out to the Airport Inn with her tiara for Valentines Day! Thinking of you all.
MARTHA CRANDALL says
So sorry to read about Laura. Glad she got her shrimp, even if she couldn’t come up.
Joe and Cathi Peila says
I will really miss our visits. She was a very special lady, a matriarch and she leaves a wonderful legacy.
Jeanne & Gary Kuchynka says
Fond memories of Laura, Floyd and their family! Sympathy to Cheryl and Bill!
Margie Murnion Cristofaro says
Laura was a delightful lady and a compassionate friend to my mother at Holy Rosary Extended Care. I always enjoyed talking with her. She liked to remind me that she and Mom were the same age with their birthdays only a little over a month apart. She lived a long, full life, and it is hard to say goodbye.
Janice Lopez Primozich says
Dear Marcy, so many memories, so long ago. Your Mom and Dad were always so kind to your friends. One time when we were in junior high your Mom hid Jane and me in the back room of Woolworth’s when we were being chased by a couple of other girls (we probably deserved their wrath). Even if that period of time was many years ago, some events seem like they could have happened yesterday. My best to you always.
Ginger Huckins says
Sorry to hear about your loss. My thoughts are with you.
Janis Ferrell says
So very sorry Cheryl and Bill for the loss of your mother.
Linda Simonsen says
We are so sorry for your loss. Laura and Dad sure enjoyed their pinochle games. Those are some good memories for us—she will be missed by many at extended care.
Doug Benge says
Cheryl and Bill—
Sorry to learn of your mother’s passing. Never was around your parents much, but since the apple doesn’t fall from the tree, they must have been wonderful people. Condolences and best wishes.
Doug Benge
SheaLee Korell says
Cheryl and family,
I took care of Laura here at the Residential living, she was such a joy to be around and to talk to, she always had something to say. I will definitely miss her sass and just her overall presence here.
Penny James says
Bill and Cheryl
So sorry to hear of Laura’s passing. I always remember her big smile.
Joanne Richardson says
Cheryl and family
So sorry to hear about Laura. Always enjoyed visiting with her. Will always remember her and my Grandma Maryanne talking to each other from their kitchen windows just next door. She lived a full life and may she now rest peacefully. She will be missed! Sending my sympathy to your family.
Carol Bean says
So sorry for the loss of your mother and grandmother. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Marty & Jennifer Almli says
Very sorry for your loss. I remember Floyd and Laura for as long as I can remember. Floyd was our mailman. Lovely people.
Linda Hodgson says
So sorry for your loss. I remember going to your house Cheryl and your mom teaching us to pull Taffy. You were lucky to have her this long. Prayers to all of you.
Beth Ann & Douglas Wiedeman says
Cheryl, sending prayers your way as you work through the grief of no longer having your mother with you here on earth. May God provide comfort for you and your family.
Audrey Haumschilld says
She was such a neat lady and whenever I worked her side I always said goodmorring before breakfast, she always said at breakfast thank you for stopping in this morning. She was always so sweet to me and trying to feed me chocolates. Miss and Love her .
Curtis Myran says
Hi Cheryl, Bill and Family. Cheryl I’m sorry Laura ( Mrs. Sandwald to me) has passed away. I thought a lot of your Mom and it goes clear back to when I was a young boy. I first met her at Woolworths and I must tell you this was a meeting I have remembered all my life. I have always thought meeting this grand lady that day affected me for the rest of my life. I think I told you how Mrs. Sandwald (I have always called her that because of the respect I have for her to this day) and I met and under all but normal conditions!! We have both lost our parents now and my Mom’s passing is still fresh on my mind. Her and I were best buddies in everything we done including and especially in the “Country Kin” country rock band we played together in for four years. What a fantastic time we had!!! So I understand the feeling of the tremendous loss you must be enduring. I’m sorry I didn’t know this sooner and could have paid my respects to her on the day of her service and to give my personal regards to you and Bill. You have also been a very special lady to me, all to your own and as the wife of my most highly thought of cousin Biil, whom I dearly love and respect. God bless! My wish for you is for you to keep the strength and remember all of your and her best days!
Sincerely,
your friend, Curtis