Dorothy Irene (Zier) Payne

Dorothy (Dottie) Irene Payne, 89, found her way to our Lord on December 6th, 2022.
Dottie was born July 18th, 1933 to Michael and Katherine Zier, raised in Bridger Montana. 
Dottie married her first and forever love of her life Marlin Payne and started their family shortly after. Together they had 3 sons. Michael (Tina) Randy and Travis (Sherri)
Family time was very important to Dottie. Family gatherings, making memories camping, fishing and family trips to one of their favorite places, Waterton Park, Canada every summer.
Dottie also enjoyed being able to travel on the road with her husband with his job profession as a country music promoter. Dottie loved music, being around friends and meeting new. Dottie shared many stories of being very close friends with June Carter Cash as Marlin was the music promoter for Johnny Cash for many years. Together the four made lasting memories and remained forever friends.
Later in life, she and her husband moved to Cooney Dam where they enjoyed meeting many new friends. Dottie loved to garden and looked forward to planting her vegetable and flower garden every spring. She and her sons Michael and Randy would have a bet every year who could grow the first ripe tomato. 
One of Dotties favorite passions was walking. She would spend hours walking the shores of Cooney Dam searching for treasures. Never would she return home without a few lures, repallas, often a fishing pole or two, a tackle box left behind by a fisherman or a new friend she met along the way.
Dottie loved to cook and taught her boys the love of cooking. Her cowgirl breakfast bake was enjoyed by many. Dottie loved a good steak and fresh shrimp and always cooked it to perfection. 
Over the past few years Dottie appreciated the company of caregivers and friends. 
Dottie is survived by her brother in-law Frank (Kathy) son Michael (Tina) son Randy, daughter  in-law Sherri, sister Claire, 10 Grandchildren, 14 Great Grandchildren, 1 Great Great Grandson, as well as numerous nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.
Dottie was greeted at heaven’s gate in the arms of her loving husband Marlin, her son Travis, her parents, her sister Rosemary and our Lord.
Cremation has taken place. The celebration of Dottie’s life will be held at a later date in 2023.