Gladys Marie Zynda, 84, of Sioux City, died Saturday, June 2, 2018, at a local care facility.
Services will be 10 a.m. Thursday at Mater Dai Parish Nativity Center, with the Rev. Dan Rupp officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, with the family present 5 to 7 p.m., a rosary will be recited at 4 p.m. by the Confraternity of Christian Mothers, and a parish vigil service at 7 p.m., at Morningside Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Homes.
Gladys Marie Zyzda, the daughter of Charles and Susie Chonko/Lusk, was born on Feb. 16, 1934, on the farm in Des Moines township, Jackson, Minn. She attended grade school at District 132 and later graduated from Jackson High School in 1952. After graduation, she worked for TWA Airlines in Kansas City, Mo.
On Aug. 1, 1959, she married Jim Zyzda at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Jackson. Following their marriage, they made their home in Sioux City, where they raised three sons, Mike, Jeff, and Chris. Gladys worked for Security Bank, Channel 9, and Sergeant Bluff School District. She retired in 1996. Her husband, Jim, passed away on Nov. 14, 1996.
Gladys was a member of St. Francis Catholic Church and currently belonged to Nativity Church. She was an active member and belonged to the Guild, Confraternity of Christian Mothers, prayer chain, and was the head of the welcoming committee for many years. She belonged to the Catholic Order of Foresters, and Queen of Peace. In her younger years, her passion was dancing.
She loved going to sporting events, especially those where her grandchildren played. She was a sports addict and a Big Red fan. Gladys loved going to Bible study, baking, and having coffee with friends and especially spending time with family and being a grandmother.
She is survived by her three sons, Dr. Mike and Margie Zyzda of Littleton Colo., Jeff and Jeanne Zyzda of Sioux City, and Chris and Jamie Zyzda of Sioux City; six grandchildren, Haleigh and husband, Michael Smith, Aaron, Melissa and husband, Johnathan McCoy, Nick and wife, Ana, Rylie, and Nate; two great-grandsons, Augustine and Louis; sister, Mary Larson; and sisters-in-law, Margie Lusk and Marilyn Zyzda.
In addition to her parents, she was proceeded in death by her husband, Jim; daughter, Sandy; brothers, James, Charles, and George Lusk; sister, Irene; sisters-in-law, Aldean and Bonnie Lusk; and brothers-in-law, Vern Larson, Arnie Larson and Walt Zyzda.
In lieu of flowers, donation may be made to Nativity Church or Queen of Peace.