Central Montana Obituaries

In memory of those we've lived with,

loved with,

and learned with.

Our finest regards.

Joan Elizabeth Zormeir 89, of Billings and formerly of Lewistown passed away of natural causes on June 27, 2020.  Joan was born at the family home in Forsyth, Montana, on January 28, 1931, to Robert E. and Eleanor (Borer) McKeever.  She was the third of four daughters.  Joan grew up in Forsyth and graduated from Forsyth High School in 1949where she was a cheerleader, a member of Glee Club and the F.H.A. as well as the yearbook staff.  After high school, Joan attended Mount St. Clare Junior College, in Clinton, Iowa.  After graduation, Joan worked as a legal secretary for Coleman Jamison & Lamey in Billings, Montana.  She met her future husband, Bud (Cloud L.) Zormeir at Pat Club, ayouth group at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.  They settled in Lewistown, Montana, after their wedding on May 30, 1953.With the birth of their first son, Bob, Joan became a stay-at-home mom.  Children Bill, Dave, and Mary followed in the next five years.  Ann was born five years later followed by the birth of Jean five years after that.  

Joan was a life-long Catholic and never went a day without praying the Rosary.  She had strong convictions and followed them unwaveringly.  During the 1970’s, Joan became involved in politics.  She attended the first March for Life in Washington DC in 1974 and was one of the Montana delegates to the National Women’s Conference in Houston, Texas, in 1977.  Joan was active in the Montana Republican Women, Right to Life and was the president of Montana Stop ERA, believing that it was of critical importance to preserve traditional family values.  She was also a member of St. Leo’s Women’s Guildand Altar Society, Montana Cow Belles, and Lady Lions Club.  Throughout her life, her primary focus remained on her husband and family.  She was an expert seamstress and sewed everything from matching shirts for the boys when they were young to prom dresses and complicated Gunne Sax patterns for her daughters in high school.  She was highly creative and enjoyed doing every imaginable type of craft with her children and grandchildren.  She baked, canned, and cooked always keeping everyone well fed.  Her children rushed home on Thursdays anticipating her delicious homemade bread. Joan was a Den Mother for the boys and could always be counted on for any school project or volunteer work that needed to be done.  She was an accomplished pianist and even wrote pieces; music was a staple in the home. Dancing in the living room was common.

Joan is survived by her sons Robert (Diane) Snohomish, WA and William (Bonnie) of Port Townsend, WA; daughters Mary (Duncan) McRae of Rapid City, SD, Ann (Joseph) Peterson of Hudson, FL and Jean (Kirby) Hellegaard of Billings, MT; one sister Constance Rasky of Billings, MT;12 grandchildrenand several nieces and nephews.  

She was preceded in death by her sisters, Mary Ellen and Sheila, her husband, Bud, and her son, David.  

Funeral Mass for Joan E. Zormeir will be Saturday, July 11th, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. in St. Leo’s Catholic Church with committal to follow in Mount Calvary Cemetery,vigil and remembrance will be held on Friday, July 10, at 7 pm in the Cloyd Chapel. A reception will follow the mass at The Eagles Club. 

Friends are asked to make memorials to NAMI, Hospice of Central Montana or to the charity of their choice and they may be left with the Cloyd Funeral Home.  Condolences for the family may be posted online at www.cloydfuneralhome.com.