Zona Marie Sawby, 91, of West Salem, passed away peacefully on November 14, 2011 at the Sterling House Assisted Living Center in La Crosse, WI.

She was born on December 15, 1919 to George and Nora Skarison. Zona married Julian “J.O.” Sawby on April 11, 1942 in Manoa, PA.

 

Zona graduated from the University of Minnesota earning a degree in Social Work and was a member of the Kappa Kappa Lambda Sorority. After raising her 4 children, she worked as the activity director at Lakewood Nursing Home in Plainfield, IL. After moving to West Salem, WI, she volunteered at Mulder Nursing Home. She enjoyed gardening, bowling, golfing and traveling. Zona like to read bible passages daily and was a member of the West Salem Garden Club.

 

Zona is survived by her sons, Scott (Marian) Sawby, Steven Sawby; daughter, Georgia (Ron) Serwa; grandchildren, Ryan (Rhonda) Sawby, Mike (Jana) Serwa, Matt (Lora Lee) Serwa, Meghan Murphy, Robert Murphy; 5 great-grandchildren; sister, Naomi Nielsen; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

 

She is preceded in death by her husband; daughter, Julie Ann Murphy; parents; and sisters, Ruth Funke and (Falk) Geraldine Watkins.

 

A funeral service will be held on Friday, November 18, 2011 at 11:00 am at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 359 N. Leonard, West Salem, WI. Pastor Vern Skarstad will officiate. A visitation will be held from 10:00 – 11:00 am on Friday at the Church. Online condolences may be left at www.couleecremation.com. Coulee Region Cremation Group is assisting the family.