Obituary

Verna M. Zekan passed away on July 16, 2026, after a short illness.

She was born on June 13, 1924, to Anna (Wuertz) Stalberger and Gerhard Stalberger of St. Cloud, Minnesota, where she was raised. She graduated from Cathedral High School and earned a degree as a registered nurse from St. Cloud State Teachers College. She subsequently moved to Chicago to pursue graduate work in pediatric nursing. There she met her soulmate, John Zekan; they married in 1947. When his military service was completed in 1950, they settled in Charleston, West Virginia, where she grew to love the mountains that replaced her flat farmland and lakes of the Midwest.

Verna was a woman of deep faith and strong conviction. She was a lifelong member of Saint Agnes Catholic Church, and was instrumental in the growth and development of the parish. Although she selflessly traded her career as a pediatric nurse to raise her seven children, she never lost her love of nursing. She simply redirected those skills to nurture and raise her family, transitioning to the role of a single parent after the loss of her husband in 1972. She was devoted to her seven children, ten grandchildren, and one great-grandchild, all of whom she adored. She loved to read and remained curious her entire life, with broad interests which included literature, poetry, art, history, biographies, and politics. She loved nature and enjoyed gardening. She discovered a hidden talent at the age of 98, when she started painting with acrylics on canvas; her masterpieces are treasured by her family. Verna took pleasure in simple things and found humor in the ordinary. She was kind, gentle, and loved by everyone who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Dr. John G. Zekan; her parents, Gerhard C. Stalberger and Anna Wuertz Stalberger; her son, John G. Zekan, Jr.; her granddaughter, Joan M. Zekan, and her nine siblings.

Verna is survived by her children, Stephen M. Zekan (Catherine), Patricia Zekan Crumpler, William J. Zekan (Carol), Elizabeth Zekan Petryna (Mark), Jeanne M. Zekan, and Thomas J. Zekan (Barbara); her grandchildren, Elizabeth Crumpler Anderson (Blake), Matthew Zekan, Carolyn Crumpler, Mary Zekan Onderdonk (Adam), Anna Zekan (Keenan Mitchell), Ellen Petryna Weideman (William), Caroline Zekan (Scott Hansan), David Zekan (Mary), and John Zekan, and her great-granddaughter, Victoria Onderdonk.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00 p.m. on July 24 at Saint Agnes Catholic Church (4807 Staunton Avenue SE, Charleston, West Virginia 25304). Private interment will be at a later date.

Visitation we will begin one hour prior at the church.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Saint Agnes Catholic Church.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.barlowbonsall.com.

Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.