Zobac, Gladys Suzanne Favre

Gladys Suzanne Favre Zobac, 88, of 2102 O Ave. NW, Cedar Rapids.

Our precious wife and mother left us all too quickly, but very peacefully the morning of Dec. 29, 2009. She leaves behind her husband of 67 years, Aldrich and her three children, Marvin, Wayne and Cindy.

Mom was born in Robinson, Iowa, on Oct. 26, 1921, to Albert and Laure Buchs Favre. Sisters, Hazel, Lorraine and Carmen followed. The family later lived in Ryan and Manchester. Mother graduated from Manchester High School in 1939.

After graduation, she moved to Cedar Rapids, where she taught Hawaiian guitar at Keeney's Guitar Studio and was a member of the Hawaiian Maids guitar group. There she met her future husband and our father, Aldrich, when he began taking lessons at the studio. They married in July 1942.

Mom loved to reminisce about growing up on the little farm in Ryan in the 1920s and later in Manchester on Brewer Street and Clara Avenue in the 1930s. She would talk about walking to school in all kinds of weather and how difficult school was at first because she didn't know English when she started, having only spoken French until then.

Mom marveled that, as a child, her family didn't have indoor plumbing and had only coal stoves for heat. In winter, they often woke to find frost on the inside of the windows and ice in the water bucket. Even with all that became available, Mom still chose to live her life simply, making do with only the most necessary conveniences.

Mom and Dad married during wartime and Marv was born while dad was in the Marine Corp. Mom and Marvin lived with her parents in Manchester, then in Florida for a short time. In 1947, mom and dad moved to Sixth Street NW and Wayne was born shortly after. Cindy followed many years later, in 1964. In 1967, they moved to their home on O Avenue, a house they built together and shared until this summer when mom could no longer be home.

When oldest son Marvin left the Marine Corp in 1963, dad bought a Chevy pickup, built a camper on it and he and mom drove to California to get him. Over the years, dad and that same ‘63 Chevy took mom all over Iowa; to Arizona, Nevada and California to visit sisters, Hazel and Carmen; and to Alaska and Canada, which she so loved.

Mom deeply loved the outdoors, especially the hills of northeast Iowa where she and the family spent every spring for 60 years mushroom hunting. Countless weekends through summer and fall were devoted to scouring creeks and fields for agates, fossils and arrowheads, bird watching, camping and exploring the old country roads and back roads of Iowa. Mom had an unending wonder of and respect for nature and found beauty in everything around her. In her quiet, unassuming way, she inspired others to love the things she loved. She would be tremendously pleased with this legacy, but would never allow herself to take credit for it.

Mom was a longtime member of the Cedar Valley Rocks and Minerals Society and was previously active in Audubon, participating in the annual Cedar Rapids Christmas Bird Count until her illness in 2003. Along with the outdoor activities, mom developed an active interest in antiques and over the course of 40 years, she and dad spent infinite hours adding to their various collections. In fact, dad says that all their hobbies and interests started with mom. Mom was a former chairwoman of the Tourette Syndrome Association of Iowa, and held various jobs at Stamats, Collins Radio and Aetna Life and Casualty. She enjoyed being a mother most of all, though, and quit working when Cindy was young.

Above all, Mom loved her family and found immense joy in her children and sisters. She was happiest with loved ones around her and always looked forward to holidays and family reunions. For many years, she and her sisters carried on a Round Robin letter exchange to keep up with family news. She was also very proud of her heritage and maintained correspondence with cousins in Switzerland that she had never met, typing out letters in fluent French on her old manual typewriter, dictionary and verb wheel at hand.

Mother was an exceptional lady who was truly beautiful, inside and out. One couldn't help but fall in love with her dear, sweet spirit. When she smiled, you could see the warmth of her love shining in her eyes. Her love was constant and comforting and our strength.

Dearest Little Mommy, we will miss your gentle, adoring smile, but will always feel your love within us. You called us your treasures, but you are the true treasure and we love you so very much.

Cherishing a lifetime of wonderful memories are husband, Aldrich; sons, Marvin (Cathy) of Mount Vernon, and Wayne Daniel of Marion; daughter, Cindy Renee (Darren) Bogner of Palo; grandchildren, Mike Zobac and Chris (Joann) Zobac of Mount Vernon; and great-grandchildren, Mat, Megan, Emma and Abby.

She is also survived by her dear sisters whom she so adored, Hazel Westermeyer of Idaho, Carmen Livingston of Arizona, and Lorraine of Marion; brothers-in-law, Allen Livingston and Kaare Lode; and many nieces and nephews.

Her parents and brother-in-law, Bill Westermeyer, preceded her in death.

For those who knew and loved mom, honor her memory. Be kind and forgive one another. Love, respect and protect the beautiful world we live in. When you gaze upon a sunset, or the stars on a clear night, or hear the soft, sweet song of a bird, remember Gladys and carry her in your hearts always.

Mom wasn't one for ceremony, so a private family gathering was held in lieu of a formal service.

Memorial may be directed to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation in Gladys's name.