Carolyn Faye Zavadil

Carolyn Faye Zavadil, age 85, of Crofton, Nebraska, entered her eternal spiritual life peacefully and comfortably on Friday, December 27, 2024, at Avera Majestic Bluffs Hospice House in Yankton, South Dakota.

Funeral services will be 10:30 AM on Saturday, January 4, 2025, at the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home in Yankton, South Dakota. Burial will be in St. Rose Cemetery in Crofton, Nebraska. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 on Friday, January 3, 2025, at the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home.

Carolyn Faye Zavadil was born February 4, 1939, in Volin, South Dakota, to Hans and Anna (Anderson) Sorensen. She was a wonderful mother and loving wife, married to Jerome Zavadil for over 60 years. Together they had three children and lived in Crofton, Nebraska for over 50 years. She was the youngest of eight siblings, growing up in Volin until she was 15, then moved to Yankton with her parents.

Along with raising her children and supporting her husband, she worked in various jobs, spending most of her career at two jobs. The Gurney Seed and Nursery was a perfect fit, because her most cherished hobbies were gardening and socializing with people. Likely her second favorite job was working as a custodian at Crofton High School. She enjoyed the comradery with fellow workers and staff but mostly enjoyed interacting with all the kids. Even after retiring from the school, she continued to feel that it is was her duty to keep those kids on the right path. They would always be her kids from school, even if they were adults with children of their own.

Carolyn had many hobbies. She loved gardening of all types and would start planning for the next growing season before the current season has ended. She liked staying busy, therefore her hobby of sewing was always in process. She enjoyed all the detail work involved and was always patient and happy sewing. Carolyn and Jerome enjoyed camping, starting with an old army tent, then a pop-up camper and then their small and large fifth-wheel. They also enjoyed riding bicycles together around the campsites. She always had a DIY project in the work. The garage, basement and any flat surfaces available were always filled with ongoing projects. Most of all she enjoyed people and socializing. Holidays were her favorite times, because they involved the things she loved the most: family, socializing, children, decorating and making gifts.

Carolyn’s mortal life will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother, a loving and devoted wife, a generous devoted friend and creative busy lady who enjoyed all people young and old and interacting with all she met.

Survivors include her three children: Cathleen (Bill) Thierolf, Teresa (Bryan) Eckmann, and Jon (Mindy) Zavadil; five grandchildren: Brittnay, Jeremy (Kayla), Josh (Amanda), Lindsey, and Kellie (Tyler); ten great grandchildren: Taylor, Harlee, Everlee, Zackery, Kierstn, Rylie, Blake, Wyatt, Willow, and Lane.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jerome on July 4, 2020; and seven siblings: Everett (Helen) Sorensen; Estella (Arnold) Anderson; Muriel (Oliver) Aaen; Gladys (Lowell) Brown; Darlene (Warren) Hoxeng; Elaine (Jim) Meyers, and Lucille (Gilbert) Mjoen.