Martha L. Zach (1922-2021)

ZACH, PETRAK, DVORAK, FORD

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 11/15/2021 at 14:54:39

October 28, 2021

Martha Louise Zach, 98, of Swisher, died Thursday, October 28, 2021, in her home. Celebration of Life Services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, November 5, 2021, at First Presbyterian Church near Ely, with Reverend Dr. Julie Schuett presiding. Burial will be in Dupont Cemetery near Swisher. Visitation will be one hour prior to services Friday at the church. Brosh Chapel and The Avacentre in Cedar Rapids is in charge of arrangements.

Martha was born December 5, 1922, in Bertram Township, the daughter of William and Adeline (Petrak) Dvorak. She graduated from Shueyville High School, class of 1940. Later she attended Paris Beauty Academy in Cedar Rapids and worked as a beauty operator in Swisher. Martha was united in marriage to Vernon Zach on October 3, 1945, at First Presbyterian Church near Ely. She and Vernon lived and farmed together southeast of Swisher, where they raised their three sons. In addition, she worked at Armstrong’s Department Store for over twenty-five years. Martha was an active member of the church, where she cooked for the annual Chicken Noodle Soup and Kolach Supper. In her earlier years, she enjoyed roller skating and going bowling. Playing cards was always an important part of her life, where she and Vernon were founders of a local Card Club, which lasted over sixty years. Her love for cards continued even until her last days. She was well known for baking homemade breads and kolaches. Martha enjoyed being outdoors, tending to her garden, going mushroom hunting, fishing, and mowing her lawn. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother “Bunda”, and great-grandmother and will be greatly missed.

Martha is survived by her son Larry (Marcia) Zach of Ankeny; grandchildren Chris (Kari) Zach, April (Barry) Ford, Josh Zach and Jenna Zach; four great-grandchildren Beckett, Kayden, Grayer and Cora; her daughter-in-law Marjie Carson-Zach; her sister-in-law Gladys Mattson of Montana; her loving care providers Carol Dohrer-Theisen and Margaret Dohrer; as well as her nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her sons Rick and Allen Zach, her sisters Bernice Dvorak and Lavona “Sandy” Colton, and brothers-in-law Toivo “Matt” Mattson and Ed Colton.

Memorials may be directed to First Presbyterian Church near Ely or Iowa City Hospice in her name.

A special thank you to the staff at Iowa City Hospice, her primary caregivers Carol and Margaret, as well as her wonderful friends and neighbors.