Sharon Ann Zeller passed away from natural causes at her home in Helena on April 6th, 2019.
Sharon was the youngest of 6; born in Sidney, MT August 22, 1946 to Nora and Niels Baadsgaard. She grew up and attended schools in the Sidney area. After graduation in 1964, she attended a vocational school for bookkeeping before moving to live with her brother Ronnie in California for a short time. Returning to Sidney, she went to work for the Richland County School District. She married Eldor F. Zeller on September 15, 1972 in Sidney, MT. She went on to do bookwork for a local service station, KB Oil, and Bank of Montana in Sidney. She lost her first husband in 1987. In 1990 she moved with her then boyfriend, Donald Maltese, and her son to Bozeman, MT. In 1992 they moved to Helena, MT where they would remain. She married Donald Maltese September 14, 2001 in her mother’s home in Sidney, MT.
Though Sharon was a no-nonsense kind of person, she loved to joke and laugh, often putting others before herself. She was always loved and enjoyed by those around her. Family was very important to her, often reaching out to her husband’s extended family to make sure nobody was left out. Sharon always wanted everyone to feel included and often used humor to make everyone feel welcome. She also loved Halloween often making most of her and her husband’s costumes as well as helping others with their costumes. Everyone who knew her knew that she was a ray of light even in the face of adversity, again often using humor to help herself and others through hard times.
Sharon was a member of the Women Of The Moose and Pella Lutheran Church. Her hobbies included playing piano, cards, games, puzzles, crafts, painting, her pets, and camping.
Surviving her are: her son, Cory Zeller of San Diego, CA; her step-daughter, Mrs. James Thogersen (Brenda), of Sidney, and her step-son, Barry Zeller, of Jacksonville, FL; her brother, Holger Baadsgaard, of Glasgow, MT, her sister, Mrs. Elso Reints (Marlene), of Ennis, MT, and her brother, Ronnie Baadsgaard, of Marysville, CA; four grandkids, Benjamin Thogersen, Brandy Thronton, Brock Zeller, and Bailey Mason; and 9 great grandkids, Sawyor Thogersen, Jackson Thogersen, Ali Thogersen, Cole Thornton, Cody Thornton, Ramsey Thornton, JJ Mason, Blair Mason, and Emeri Zeller.
She was proceeded in death by her parents, Niels and Nora Baadsgaard, her sisters, Harriet Kringen and Edith Yarbarough, her first husband, Eldor Zeller, and her second husband, Donald Maltese.
A Celebration of Her Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 17, 2019 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. in Helena. A reception will follow at Moose Lodge 639, 4750 N. Montana Ave. in Helena. A graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, June 29, 2019 at Sidney Cemetery in Sidney, Montana with a reception following at Veterans Memorial Park on South Central Avenue in Sidney, Montana. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Moose Legion Scholarship Fund, PO Box 4418, Helena, MT 59602; make checks payable to “Moose Lodge 639” with Legion Scholarship in the memo. Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Sharon.
Sarah Damm says
Sending the family a giant hug. My heart is in a million pieces. Sharon filled many shoes and wore many hats.
Harley and Judy Warner says
She will be missed by all of us. She was one of the most caring individuals we have ever know. She was there for a lot of people who needed help during some very tough times.
Amanda Wilson says
So saddened to hear of Sharon’s passing. Sharon was one of my mom’s best friends. I remember camping and spending a lot of time with Eldor, Sharon and Cory at Tobacco Gardens in North Dakota on the weekends. When mom and Sharon got together you knew there were going to be lots of laughs. I’m sure they are reunited in Heaven having some laughs now. Sharon will be missed by everyone who knew her.
Tami Maltese says
I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Stan Rosaaen says
Sorry for your loss,we had many good times camping and playing uno.they were always laughs. Won’t be able to make for the service.
Suzanne Mannix says
While one cannot help feeling great loss and sadness at Sharon’s passing, memories with her and Don will always make me smile.
Joyce Hartnett says
Sharon will be sorely missed!! As has been mentioned more than once, Sharon had the gift of a marvelous sense of
humor! It was impossible to feel sad when you were around Sharon! I feel blessed that as cousins we grew up together in Sidney & shared so many fun times together1 She could make me laugh till I cried! Fond memories of Sharon will be with me always.