Cindy Kolberg, of Bozeman, formerly of Glendive, passed away at the Glendive Medical Center in Glendive surrounded by family and friends on April 22, 2017, surviving almost a year after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
Cindy was a free spirit and such a lover of the Earth, it was only fitting that she would choose “Earth Day” as her day to exit. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, May 3, 2017 at Zion Lutheran Church with Pastor Will Johnson officiating. Silha Funeral Home of Glendive has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Cindy was born into a close-knit family in Glendive and she enjoyed spending time on the family farm near Bloomfield. She attended grade school in Glendive and graduated from Dawson County High School in 1975, where she was a member of the first basketball team (boys or girls) to win a Montana State championship in her sophomore year. Additionally, Cindy was also a member of swim and diving teams, the drill team, the cheerleading squad and track and field.
Following graduation, Cindy attended and graduated in 1982 from Montana State University-Bozeman with a Horticulture degree. This degree naturally complimented Cindy’s love of all things green and she often delighted both family and friends by gifting them with plants and flowers she raised from seedlings or tiny transplants. She was truly a “plant whisperer”.
Cindy was married to John Short for 31 years. While the marriage ended, it was not before raising three amazing sons in a cabin located near Bridger Bowl. Cindy was a loving mother to Mike, Ryan and Axel and the family enjoyed many years nestled in Bridger Canyon exploring, hiking, skiing and engaging in all manner of adventure and shenanigans.
Cindy loved the country; and her deep appreciation for nature’s gifts was unmatched. She possessed a deep personal strength and had an abiding faith in God. Her zest for life and the examples she set for all of us in learning to enjoy the little things in life will never be forgotten. Cindy was also an animal lover and her family pets always accompanied her in her travels—even back to Glendive to visit Mom and Dad. During this time Cindy worked as a baker at Bridger Bowl ski resort where her “Bridger Bars” were a hit among the ski crowd and others.
Cindy spent forty years in and around Bozeman and leaves behind many wonderful and dear friends who were always by her side, but never more so than in this last year after her diagnosis. Despite the challenges of terminal cancer, Cindy’s spirit never faded as she continued to live life to the fullest.
Cindy was preceded in death by her brother, Brad Kolberg of Glendive; her youngest son, Axel; her grandparents; and several aunts and uncles.
Survivors include her sons, Mike Short of Anaconda and Ryan Short of San Diego, Calif.; her former husband, John Short of Bozeman; parents, Gordon and Gert Kolberg of Glendive; sister, Cheryl Kolberg and her partner Maggie Copeland of Glendive; brothers, Greg Kolberg of Glendive, Darren Kolberg of Three Forks, and Guy Kolberg and his finance Vickie Crane of Glendive. Cindy is also survived by childhood friends Lorna Milne and Peggy Roe as well as many nieces, nephews and special sisters—you all know who you are! Additionally, we remember her core of Bozeman friends, Karen, Ruth, Cyndi and Sarah who always cared for Cindy especially through the last year.
The family would like to thank the Hospice angels in Bozeman and Glendive who took such tender care of Cindy, her friends and co-workers at Joe’s Parkway who donated and raised money for her while she was undergoing treatment, and everyone who brought flowers, food, stopped for a visit, or sent up a prayer for Cindy and our family during this time.
Memorials are suggested to Hospice of Glendive or Bozeman, Gift of Life House at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.; or The Heart of Valley Animal Shelter in Bozeman.
Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at: www.silhafuneralhomes.com.