Carolyn Sue Zanker

Carolyn Zanker, resident of Papillion, Nebraska for the past twelve years, passed away on January 11th, 2026 at the age of 91.

Carolyn was born in Hamburg, Iowa on October 11th, 1934 to parents Thaddeus and Myrtle (Renshaw) Cowles. She was preceded in death by her parents and three brothers, Charles, Jack and Paul; and two sisters, Vera and Judy.

Carolyn married Paul Zanker, also a resident of Hamburg, on Sunday, January 9th, 1955. Their 55-year earthly union continued until August 18th, 2010 when Paul passed, but now they are once again united for eternity.

Paul and Carolyn were parents to Charlie (Jaylene) living in Hamburg, IA; John living in Carmel, IN; and James (Kyle) living in Fort Wayne, IN. Grandchildren include Matthew (Tori), Samantha (Andy), Joshua (Erin), Paul (Lisa), Jonathan (Jessika) and Jeffrey (Emily). Also, Carolyn was blessed with eleven great-grandchildren: Lee, Warren, Jude, Jett, Addie, Emma, Alice, Vivian, Karson, Sylvia and Slade.

Despite experiencing a difficult youth, she shined brightly. She was an accomplished Cornet player in high school and was offered a scholarship to college but chose to remain in Hamburg and start working. She was a talented and gifted singer, and a better pianist than she ever gave herself credit. She chose a simple life but never lived it simply.

Carolyn continued her musical life by singing both in the Hamburg United Methodist Church Choir and the Saint Cecilia Ladies’ Choir for more than 35 years. She once again picked up her Cornet while playing in the Hamburg Jazz Band for three years during the mid-1980’s. She was a dedicated volunteer and board member of the Hamburg Public Library for many years and was a long-time coordinator of the Hamburg Grape Community Hospital’s Gift Shop. Carolyn was a member of Hamburg’s Chapter of P.E.O. and served as that organization’s President and held a State P.E.O. position. One of her greatest loves was playing Bridge, and she cherished the weekly games as well as hosting annual large Bridge  parties for many years.

She thoroughly enjoyed a short, but successful, time of playing golf and loved the sport, but had to give it up to physical limitations. Sports always held a high priority in Carolyn’s life – especially any sport Nebraska Cornhusker-related. She seldom missed a televised Nebraska football, basketball or volleyball event, and also loved watching professional tennis and golf on TV.

For the past twelve years Carolyn lived in a beautiful independent-living apartment in Papillion, Nebraska. She cherished her new home, new friends and new opportunities the area afforded her. Just two weeks before her passing she was still enjoying Bridge and Hand, Knee and Foot – a new card game she came to love. Sports and music were her passions, and she was happy her three children loved those passions, as well. She attended nearly every football, swimming, basketball, wrestling and track event in which her children participated, plus countless music concerts from her sons’ grade school days to just a couple years ago. She was proud of her three sons, and she did not mince words about it.

A Celebration-of-Life service will be held at Mount Olive Cemetery, Hamburg, IA on Saturday, June 6th, 2026 at 11:00am. Memorial gifts may be given to Grape Community Hospital Auxiliary or Hamburg, Iowa Food Bank.

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