Joan Zyburt

Joan was born September 28, 1925 to parents Simon Peter and Mary Margaret (Willy) Walley in Park Ridge, Illinois. She was the 5th of 12 children.

Joan attended elementary school in Park Ridge at St. Paul of the Cross before graduating from Maine Township High School in 1943. She attended Mundelein College and Marquette University in Milwaukee. She worked for Douglas Aircraft in Chicago where she would often fly in planes being tested for the war. While working as an associate for Liberty Mutual Insurance in Chicago, Joan met her future husband Ernest (Ernie) and they married at St. Paul of the Cross in Park Ridge, Illinois on May 27,1950. After their marriage, Joan and Ernie relocated to Michigan. They then made their home in Westland (where they lived for 52 years) and raised eight children. In 2002, Joan and Ernie moved to Marquette for a slower pace of life where they could be supported by more of their family and were members of St. Christopher Catholic Church.

Joan was a loving, involved, and supportive full time mother. She will be remembered for her delicious coffee cakes and infamous gingerbread cookies. She was a faithful volunteer for many church and school activities and was an expert seamstress, talented quilter and avid pinochle player. Education was a priority with Joan and Ernie and she was most proud that they were able to put all of their children through college, with all eight attending Northern Michigan University. She traveled frequently, visiting family, exploring and celebrating her children and grandchildren’s many accomplishments.

Joan is survived by her children: Michele Theut of Marquette, Jeff Zyburt of New Hudson, Greg Zyburt of Marquette, Pixie Zyburt of Marquette, Bennett Zyburt of Marquette, Gretchen (Graham) Crockford of Pinckney, Heidi (Steven) Wolck of Negaunee Township, and daughters-in-law Nancy Zyburt and Myra Zyburt. Grandchildren: Tara (Josh) Klofta, Katie (Eric) Moe, Erin (Ian) Schoone, Tonia (John) Porter, Edd Theut, Sarah Zyburt, Eric Theut, Taryn (Jared) Roe, Sam (Chelsea) Zyburt, Paul (Lauren) Zyburt, Cole (Kirsten) Zyburt, Justin (Shelby) Zyburt, Aubrey and Anders Wolck. Eleven great-grandchildren, her sister Beatrice Lowry, brother Ted Walley, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ernie, infant son Michael, son Peter and daughter-in-law Lori as well as her parents and 10 of her siblings and their spouses.

In accordance with Joan’s wishes, a private catholic service celebrating her life will be held at St. Christopher Catholic Church with inurnment at Holy Cross Cemetery in Marquette.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Joan’s name may be directed to Northern Lights Child Advocacy Center (northernlightscac.org), Trillium House (trilliumhouse.org), or UP Home Health and Hospice (uphomehealth.org). Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at fassbenderswansonhansen.com.