Cloudy, 56° F
(Feb. 16, 2005)
Funeral services were held Monday at Ballard Funeral Home in Cody for Frederick Walter Zier, 73, Deaver, who died Wednesday, Feb. 16 surrounded by loves ones at Wyoming Medical Center in Casper, of complications from a blood clot in the brain.
He was born Oct. 2, 1931, in Bridger, Mont., to German-Russian immigrants, Katherine Margaret Reichert and Heinrich Zier. He grew up and attended schools there.
Fred worked as a driller in the oil fields and then moved to New Mexico, where he married Dorthy Christine Davis on Aug. 11, 1951, in Aztec, N.M. For the next eight years, his work took them to North Dakota in the towns of Williston, Ray, New Town, Tioga and Kildeer, and then to East Glacier, Mont.
In 1960, the family moved to Powell, and they lived in several surrounding communities before settling permanently in Deaver. In Powell, he bought and ran the Standard Service Station, followed by a new career as a car salesman that became his niche. He started at O.K. Chevrolet and then worked many years for Whitlock Volkswagen.
This led to his love for buying and selling cars and car parts, which prompted him to start his own auto salvage business at Deaver. He loved to buy and sell just about anything. He was hard working and never idled.
In later years, he attended Garland Community Church of God. He was also involved in the Men's Christian Breakfast Organization. In the last 14 years, he was a dedicated Gideon, distributing Bibles, giving service and sharing his love of the Savior. This provided him much joy and satisfaction. One of the highlights of his life was a Gideon extension action service mission to Venezuela. He led an active life to the end.
Survivors include his children, Sharon (Dennis) Reilly of Idaho Falls, Idaho, Freddie (Joanie) Zier of Deaver and Jermy (Naomi) Zier of Billings, Mont.; seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brothers, George Zier of Topack, Ariz., Dan (Jean) Zier of Deaver and Dick Zier of Billings, Mont.; his sisters, Kay (Frank) Lazard of Sparks, Nev., Louise Sekora of Billings, Clare (Al) Marchesani of Lavellette, N.J., Lydia (Conrad) Kercher of Laramie; Ala Zier of Warren, Ohio, Dorothy Strickland of Casper; Lillian Wood of Burbank, Calif., and Eva (Bubbles) Pickett of Casper.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 46 years, Dorthy, in 1998; and his sister, Lizzie Bird.
Burial was in the Deaver Cemetery.
The family would like to thank the Gideons and the Garland Chruch of God and many others for their support and assistance. For those who wish, contributions can be made to Gideons International, Heart Mountain Camp, P.O. Box 642, Cody, WY 82414.
