IN LOVING MEMORY Monica Silvernale-Miller Monica Silvernale-Miller, age 96, of Glendive, Montana, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022, at the Glendive Medical Center. The family received friends Friday, Nov. 25, 2022, at the chapel of Silha Funeral Home, followed by a Graveside Funeral Service in Dawson County Cemetery. Silha Funeral Home of Glendive was entrusted with the arrangements. Monica was born Aug. 3, 1926, in Howard Lake, Minnesota, to Martin and Bertha Erhardt, the second youngest of 13 children. When she was four, after her mother’s death, it was decided the younger children would be sent to live with relatives in the area. Monica moved to Zumbrota, Minnesota, where she was raised by Gertrude and Tina Steege. Even at this young age, she knew her life was never going to be the same. Monica graduated from Zumbrota High School in 1944 as the Salutatorian of her class. She moved to St. Paul, Minnesota, where she attended beauty school. She had also attracted the attention of a soldier who was home on leave from WWII. Monica married L.W. “Larry” Silvernale on June 26, 1946. Together they moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where Larry attended Milwaukee Technical Institute and Monica gave birth to their first child, a daughter, Sheralynn (Sherry) Dawn. In 1948, looking for work, the young family boarded a Northern Pacific passenger train headed for Montana. Glendive was the first planned stop and, being out of money, they found work there: Larry at the local funeral home and Monica as a beautician at Ida Mae’s Beauty Shop. Eventually, in 1958, Monica opened her own beauty shop in her home and gave birth to their second child, Dane. Monica served a loyal clientele until 1980 when she and Larry retired. Monica and Larry moved to Helena, Montana, where they lived on the Canyon Ferry Reservoir for 10 years before returning to Glendive to be near family. They enjoyed their time on Canyon Ferry buying and fixing up a cabin at Eldorado Bar, looking for sapphires, and also, enjoying winters in Yuma, Arizona. Larry died in 1997. Monica married Bruce Miller on May 19, 2002, in Glendive. They enjoyed 20 years together traveling, dining, dancing, and gardening. They were always available to take care of grandkids, pets, plants, or whatever else came up. Monica was a Life Master Duplicate Bridge player and was responsible for teaching many local bridge players how to play the game. Monica was preceded in death by all of her brothers and sisters and her daughter Sherry. Monica is survived by her husband Bruce, and son Dane (DeAnn), both of Glendive; four grandchildren: Adria Alumbaugh of Peabody, Massachusetts, Darcy (Paul) Maki of Duluth, Minnesota, Allison Julia Silvernale of Glendive, Dillon Silvernale of Bozeman, Montana; and two greatgrandchildren: Fox and Iris Maki of Duluth. ■ Memorial donations are suggested to the Dawson County Food Bank. Remembrances and condolences can be shared with the family at www.silhafuneralhomes.com. 18 Montana Funeral Directors Association
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