Marie M. Zoucha

Marie M. Zoucha, 87, of Clarks, NE, died Monday, February 24, 2014 at St. Joseph’s Villa in David City. Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, February 28, 2014 at 10:30 A.M. at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Clarks with Father Dick Whiteing officiating. Visitation will be Thursday, February 27 from 5-7 P.M. with a Rosary Service at 7:00 P.M. at the church. Burial will be in the Calvary Cemetery in Clarks. Wagner Funeral Home in Clarks is assisting the family with the arrangements. Marie, the youngest of 7 children of Jacob and Josephine (Lassek) Zoucha, was born in Clarks on Nov. 7, 1926. She had 4 brothers and 2 sisters, who are all deceased. They lived on a farm north of Clarks. Marie attended a country school, District 62, during grades 1-4 and the remainder was spend at the Clarks Public Schools, where she graduated in 1943. Marie attended the Nebraska Central College in Central City and then taught 46 years, 9 years in country schools, beginning with District #57 in Polk County in the fall of 1945. The last 37 years she taught as the 5th grade teacher in Clarks Public Schools. Marie did, however, take 1 1/2 years off from teaching and attended off-campus classes at Kearney State College while she was working at the Hall County Treasurer's office and Schweser's. She later, in 1963, received her Bachelor's Degree. In 1964, Marie received the Freedoms Foundation Valley Forge Classroom Teacher's Medal. 59 other teachers throughout the nation competed and won scholarships and were greeted by John D. Eisenhower and Marie was also able to meet with General Omar Bradley. In 1972, Marie made a European trip to Portugal, Spain, France, Rome, Venice, Italy, the Holy Land, Greece and Poland. 1980 was the year she was nominated and received the Aksarben Good Neighbor Award. Marie retired in 1994, but did volunteering and tutoring in Clarks Elementary School. In 1997 she taught 2 weeks in Dobczyce, Poland and 3 weeks in Kpone, Ghana, West Africa in 1999. Marie was a long-time member and officer on the St. Peter Pastoral Council in Clarks, beginning in 1988. Marie was a delegate to the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council, as well as on its Executive Committee for 3 terms. Marie served as Lector, Choir Member, Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist, served on the Ladies R.S.W. Deanery Board, Catholic Daughters, Altar Society, and taught C.C.D. classes at the Church for 30 years. She was also a member of the Catholic Daughters for over 60 years. Marie took Meals on Wheels for several years, was a member of the Retired Teachers of America, was on the Merrick Foundation Board of Directors, worked for the Red Cross on blood drives, sponsored a young boy in Mexico for 10 years and was on the Clarks Library Board. Marie was a very humble woman who gave her heart and soul to the human race to make it a better world to live and probably had more accolades than anyone knew. Marie was preceded in death by her parents, Jacob and Josephine Zoucha, her sisters, Marcelline Janovec and Gertrude Zoucha, her brothers, Adrian Zoucha, Benedict Zoucha, Joseph Zoucha and Lambert Zoucha, nephews Dave Janovec and Bendy Zoucha, niece Audra Brown and great nephew Brent Zoucha. She is survived by 2 living sister-in-laws, Clara Zoucha of Clarks, NE and Monica Zoucha of Plattsmouth, NE, along with her nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and their children who will keep her memory alive, along with the many many students she taught over the years. Memorials are suggested to the Merrick Foundation and condolences can be sent to the family at www.wagnerfuneral.com.

Marie M. Zoucha

November 7, 1926 - February 24, 2014