Cora M. Zorn Giese, 85

Cora M. Zorn Giese, 85, passed away on Jan. 15, 2014, at the Immanuel Lutheran Skilled Care Center in Kalispell after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease.  

She was born in Bottineau, N.D. on Aug. 2, 1928, to Walter and Lillian Getzloff.

Cora married Irvin Zorn in 1947, and had five children, Monda Rae Zorn of Kalispell, Doyle Zorn of Des Moines, Iowa, Laurel Zorn of Casa Grande, Ariz., Bernell Zorn of Tulsa, Okla., and Darwin Zorn of Kalispell.

Cora went on quite the journey with her five children in 1955, from Willow City, N.D. to crossing through the Hi-Line of Montana. After living in small towns in the flatlands of Montana she ended settling in the beautiful Flathead Valley.

Cora married Roland Giese in 1961, and Roland helped raise her five children. I can't ever remember a day that our Mother wasn't working or trying in someway to better herself. She worked at Montgomery Ward on Main Street until KM Department store recruited and trained her to be one of their office managers. Her story was, “They trusted me with their money.” Cora stayed there for many years and one day her diligent work ethic paid off; she landed a wonderful job with the State of Montana working in the appraisal office. Cora at 62 retired and regretted that till she was eighty three. Reminding all of us perhaps way too many times that she was much too young to stop working and that we all needed a purpose and a place to go each day, I now believe her. There is a lot of pride we have towards our Mother, the teaching of working hard, good values and the will to never give up.

Cora was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Lutherans of Life fundraisers, Ladies Aid, and the queen of the power stapler for the bulletins. She loved her church and helped in all aspects of it.

Cora was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Roland; three brothers; two sisters; and a beautiful grandson named Kellen of Havre.

She is survived by all five children; Bernell’s wife, Monica; Laurel’s wife, Patti; three sisters and four brothers; seven grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Cora will be “riding her last ride on the peace train” back to her beloved state of North Dakota to be buried with her parents and siblings. “Her wishes have been granted!”  She will be missed by all who knew her and took care of her these past few years. We want to thank everyone for being so kind and loving to our mother. She truly was an object of beauty and strength these past few years.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 400 W. California St., with a reception to follow at Trinity Church. Visitation will be from noon until 5 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 20, in the Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Gardena, N.D. at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be given to Meals on Wheels at the Agency on Aging, 160 Kelly Road, Kalispell, MT 59901.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Cora’s family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to view Cora’s Tribute wall, offer condolences and share memories.