Dena was born on August 12, 1922, in Hardin, Montana, the daughter of William and Cora Moore. She graduated from high school in Hardin, a year early as she took third and fourth grade at the same time. She met Laurence Ziler and they married in August of 1942. She then followed Laurence to basic training and to his first post in the Army. She then moved back to Hardin to work at the County Agent’s office.
Dena and Laurence purchased a farm south of Hardin where they raised their family, after he returned from his service to his country. Laurence was transferred by his job at Holly Sugar to Wyoming and then to Sidney where they retired. They met many friends square dancing. They spent 20 years “snow birding” to Arizona, where they continued to meet new friends.
Dena loved crossword puzzles, word and board games, and jig saw puzzles. Her favorite being Rummikub at which she excelled. She also was an avid reader, enjoying mostly western books until expanding her reading horizons after joining a book club at Shiloh Methodist.
Laurence passed away in 2017 and Dena continued to live in Billings in assisted living. She lived close to Shiloh Methodist Church and walked across the lawn to services for several months prior to Covid. She moved to The Legacy in 2020 where she lived out the rest of her life with more new friends.
She was loved by all who met her, warmed by her smile and kind words. She remembered the names of her caregivers at the home and all that came to visit her on their time off.
Dena attended a Kentucky Derby party on May 4, 2024, and enjoyed family and watching the horses. She declined to bet and did not like the mint julep but had a wonderful time.
Dena passed away peacefully at the Legacy in the early hours of May 23, 2024, at the age of 101. She will be greatly missed by all who were touched by her long, good life.
Dena was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband, Laurence, her daughter, Diana Hedegaard, and her siblings. She is survived by her children: Kermit Ziler (Marsha), Sheridan, WY; Linda Karst (Gary), Ballentine, MT; Eileen Ziler (George Murray), Billings, MT; and Scott Ziler (Lisa), Sidney, MT; twelve grandchildren; fourteen great grandchildren and one great great grand child.
The family would like to thank the dedicated staff at the Legacy and all the great people at Riverstone Hospice.