Luceila Ilene Ziska

(July 21, 2005)

Funeral services will be Wednesday, July 27 at 10:30 a.m. at the Presbyterian Church in Cody for Luceila Ilene Ziska, 75, who died Thursday, July 21 at the Long Term Care Center in Cody.

She was born in Willow Springs, Mo., on May 7, 1930, to Irene Turner Harkins and DeLue Harkins. The family moved to a Wyoming homestead at Shawnee and then on to Douglas. She graduated from Douglas High School and married William Edward Ziska on June 1, 1948. Together they had two children, James Ziska and Janet Ziska Stambaugh. They lived on his dry land farm in Glendo for four years before moving to Casper.

The best years of their lives were spent on the Southfork when they moved to Cody in 1966. They managed a ranch for Herbert Hallman of Nevada and lived on “the old Harry Tiberand place.” They made many longtime friends and shared many memorable times with neighbors in ever day ranch life experience. When Hallman sold the ranch and purchased another in Cora, Wyo., north of Pinedale, they moved there to manage the Black Butte Ranch for him. When Hallman sold out of the ranching business a few years later, they moved to Idaho Falls, Idaho and managed an apartment complex for a number of years.

They later returned to Powell and lived there until Bill’s death in 1993. She then moved to Cody where she lived for the rest of her life.

While living in Cody the first time, she became involved in the Irma Flats Mother’s Club and was a member of Cody Cowbelles (now Cattlewomen). Upon returning the second time, she affirmed old friendships with her Southfork neighbors and was president of Irma Flats Mother’s Club for seven years and also served as historian. She was ordained a deacon in the Presbyterian Church and served with the Presbyterian Women’s Organization. She was also a volunteer for Meals on Wheels.

One of her favorite things to do was to plant flowers and do her yard work. She was still mowing her lawn and transplanting flowers last summer. She took great pride in her home, and even though she took ill during the winter, her yard was a beautiful show place this year, blooming with the perennials she labored over for the past several years. Her favorite hobbies were playing her organ and fishing.

Survivors include her son, Jim Ziska and wife Peggy, grandchildren Jake, Charles, Will and Sarah; her daughter, Janet Stambaugh and husband Grant, grandson Scot and his wife Susan, great-grandchildren Sydnie and Steve, granddaughter Lori Stambaugh Sanford and husband Don and his daughters, great-grandchildren Katie and Brianna; three brothers, Clare (Nancy) Harkins, Clifford (Pam) Harkins and Chester Harkins.

Burial will be in Cody’s Riverside Cemetery. A fellowship luncheon will follow at the church.