Malinda M. Zochert

Malinda M. Zochert, age 94, of Miles City, formerly a longtime resident of Bloomington, MN, passed away on Wednesday, August 17, 2005 at the Friendship Villa in Miles City, MT. Malinda was born to John and Mary (Kortun) Grill on March 27,
1911 in Ree Heights, SD. At a young age the family moved to Kent, MN where she attended a rural schools while living on the farm. After the 8th grade, Malinda moved to Morris, Minnesota where she completed last years of schooling. After graduating she worked as a house keeper in Sisseton, SD for several years.
In 1933, she met Ewald Zochert of Wheaton, Minnesota. The two were joined in Holy Matrimony in April of 1934. They moved to Bloomington, Minnesota in 1935. The couple would be blessed with two children Mary Ann in 1936 and Marvin in 1938. The family made Bloomington their home until 1964 when Malinda sold the house and worked as a live in house keeper for several families. At the age of 73, she “hung” up her dust cloth and mop “retired” and moved into an apartment in Hopkins, Minnesota. The last 18 years of her life her daughter became her official taxi driver. Mary Ann would take Malinda on trips to Iowa and Minnesota to see family and friends. At the age of 90, she and Mary Ann took the train to Louisiana to visit her son Marvin. When Mary Ann moved to Miles City, Malinda was determined to move there also. So determined that she wrote in a letter that if Mary did not come and get her, she was going to tie her wheel chair to a train and come along.
Malinda was an excellent seamstress, she enjoyed cooking, making rugs and quilts and crossword puzzles. She was an avid reader, enjoyed the landscape and watching the cattle in the fields.
Malinda is survived by her children Mary Ann (Rev. Tom) Barthelmeh of Miles City, MT and Marvin L. (Wanita) Zochert of Pineville, LA. Eight grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Malinda was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.
Memorials may be made to the Bloomington Volunteer Fire Department; 10 West 95th Street, Bloomington, MN 55420 or to the charity of one’s choice.