Verna E. Zmek

Verna E. Zmek, 94, of Central City, passed away on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Litzenberg Long Term Care in Central City. Memorial Services will be held on Friday, July 10, 2026 at Archer Zion Methodist Church at 10 a.m. Memorials are suggested to Archer Zion Methodist Church to help with repairs. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.soltwagnerfuneral.com. Verna was born on April 28, 1932, in Polk, Nebraska, to William and Ella Anna Louise (Joseph) Schweikert. She was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Polk. She then moved to Hordville in 1936 to attend grade school there. She then attended school at Rural Polk Zion Lutheran School. Verna then graduated from Hordville High School in 1950 with 8 in her class. While in school, she was the salutatorian. She said school was easy and she enjoyed her classes, helping others when needed. She had many interests in school including singing, volleyball, and softball. Singing was a very enjoyed event at church, choir, weddings, concerts, funerals, and at requested events. Verna met Harold at a volleyball game in 1948 and on October 20, 1950, she married Harold Zmek. Following their marriage, the couple made their home in Archer, where they raised their children, Alan, Larry, Leanne and Randy. She was instructed how to drive tractors immediately and spent many hours doing this in farm fields. Then driving crops to town in trucks during harvest. Farm life was very busy, raising a big garden, helping at a Grade A milking operation, and always cooking for the family, workers, harvest crew and relatives. With all the work, she enjoyed farm life and the time off was spent roller skating as a family, swimming every Sunday when possible, and enjoying the children’s activities as they matured. In her time off, she spent it traveling, going to all states and seven countries to enjoy the many adventures. This was all made possible by her loving husband and children to help that happen. They retired to Central City in 2012 to enjoy no mowing or snow removal and having many new friends to meet and enjoy. Verna enjoyed a wide variety of activities throughout her life, including playing softball, gardening, crocheting, deer hunting, spending time at the lake, roller skating, and traveling throughout the United States. She was also a longtime member of the card party group. Dedicated to serving her community, Verna was a member of the Palmer Rescue Unit, where she served as an EMT, and she participated on local election boards. She volunteered with the blood mobile and donated over 20 gallons over her lifetime. She also volunteered many hours at the local thrift store in Central City. She was also an active and faithful member of Archer Zion United Methodist Church. Verna is survived by her sons, Alan Zmek of Ocala, FL, Larry (Faye) Zmek of Chapman, NE, and Randy (Julie) Zmek of Fullerton, NE; daughter-in-law, Cleo Zmek of Holiday, FL; 6 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Zmek; parents, Bill and Ella Schweikert; daughter, Leanne Zmek; and brothers, Lee and Wilmer Schweikert; granddaughter, Shayla Zmek.

Verna E. Zmek

April 28, 1932 - June 13, 2026