East Helena Obituary: Patricia Ann Ziesman
Author: Family of Patricia Ann Ziesman
Article Published: 07/17/2026 Volume: 5 Edition: 02Patricia Ann Ziesman
Family of Patricia Ann Ziesman
March 17, 1936 – July 6, 2026
Patricia Ann Ziesman, age 90, passed away on July 6, 2026. Patricia was born to Julia and George Kokoruda on March 17, 1936, at the Kokoruda Homestead, about a mile away from her and Harley’s residence.
Mom grew up riding horses on the family ranch, bringing in the milk cows, and riding with her sister Geraldine. She was never one who wanted to be inside. Her favorite horse, Chubby, died while she was in the hospital having her tonsils out. Her dad bought her a yearling mare that she named Ginger. She worked with her, and when she met Harley, he helped her break Ginger. They spent the summer riding all over the Elkhorns.
She attended the McClellan Creek country school, later attending East Helena School and graduating from Helena High School in 1954. On July 3, 1954, she married Harley Ziesman. Together, they shared a marriage that spanned 72 incredible years.
Patricia was a stay-at-home mom, dedicating herself to raising her children. Her first job outside the home was cooking for Head Start during summer school vacation. However, her favorite job was planting trees for the Forest Service during the summers. She really enjoyed the camaraderie and spending time outdoors. In 1974, she went to work for Kmart in the accounting department. She later went to work at First Security Bank, where she remained until her retirement in 2002. Following her retirement, she enjoyed spending her time caring for her grandchildren. Her grandchildren were the light of her life.
She had a love for sweets and never said no to her grandchildren. Whether that meant hosting tea parties with sweet Kool-Aid, letting the kids make pudding, or, one time, the kids built a fire (in a bad fire year) attempting to make potato chips. She found them all gathered around the fire and decided to just supervise.
She is survived by her devoted husband, Harley; her children, Debbie (Bill) Niehoff, Julie (Tim) Gilchrist, and Fred (Deanna) Ziesman; her grandchildren, Spencer Gilchrist and his partner Corey, Brianna Oestreich and her husband Cory, Alisa Gilchrist and her husband (TJ) Schwartz, Terra Gilchrist and her partner Ryan, Allen Ziesman and his partner Brittany, and Mandy Ziesman and her husband Skyler McClain; sister, Geraldine Ogle and sister- in- law Ardis Kokoruda. She was preceded in death by her parents, Julia and George Kokoruda; her brothers, Bob and sister-in-law Colleen Kokoruda, Bill Kokoruda; her sister Betty and brother-in-law Larry Shearer, brother-in-law Phil “Archie” Ogle. She also leaves behind a huge extended family.
A private graveside service will be held at Forestvale Cemetery in Helena.
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