Valerie A. Zeyen (1922-2015)

Valerie A. Zeyen, age 92 a lifelong resident of Kenosha, died Sunday March 22^nd 2015 at the United Hospital Systems Kenosha Medical Center Campus.

Valerie was born in Kenoshaon July 7^th, 1922 to the late Emerich and Barbara (Papanek) Gregus. On January 22^nd 1940, she was united in marriage with Eugene N. Zeyen at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church. They would be blessed with six children together.

Valerie was employed as a nurse’s aide at St Catherine’s Hospital for over 30 years retiring in 1995. She enjoyed her time with the mothers and babies on the Maternity Ward. She was a former member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church and a current member of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church. She was also a longtime member of the Christian Mothers group at St. George. She was a devout catholic.

She always had hot coffee and sweet treats ready for friends that would stop by to visit.

As a young girl Valerie participated in Slovak Sokols, a track and gymnastics organization, and was a member of the Girl Scouts of America. No family holiday was complete until she made all of her favorite Slovak delicacies. She was a gifted cook, baker and seamstress and enjoyed knitting as well as ceramics and playing Bingo. Valerie loved music and attended as many church festivals as she could. She liked Lawrence Welk, Guy Lombardo, Danny O’Donnel and Andre Rieu. She attended the Tamburitzans when they were on tour inKenoshaand also attended the Wednesday Night Kenosha Pops Concerts where she especially enjoyed the polkas and waltzes.

Surviving Valerie are her children; David (Mary Ann) Zeyen of Kenosha, Raymond (Susan) Zeyen of Mt. Pleasant, Barbara LeMere of Santee CA, Patricia (Wayne) Hansen of Green Valley AZ, and Lynn (Michael) May of Kenosha. She is survived in addition by her grandchildren; Julie (Ralph) Anderson, Gina (Jeff) Lentz, Gregory Zeyen, Steven (Angela) Zeyen, Bridgette (Greg) Jensen, Zachary Zeyen and Alexis Zeyen and by 13 great grandchildren.

Valerie also leaves behind her remaining life long friends.

Preceding Valerie in death were her husband Eugene, a daughter in infancy, a son Michael Zeyen and a brother E. Julius Gregus.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday March 26^th 2015 at 11:00AM at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Kenosha. (4816-7^th Avenue) Visitation with the family will be on Thursday at the church from 10:00AM until the time of mass. Burial will follow at St. George Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorials to St. Elizabeth Catholic Church or Right to Life would be appreciated.

The family would like to thank the staff of St. Joseph Nursing Home and Rehab and theKenoshaMedicalCenterfor their care and compassion. We consider you true angels of mercy, and may God bless you.