Sylvia Irene Zocholl Kielian Mar 13, 1918 Jan 18, 2015 Age 96; passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 18th at her residence in Bloomington, Indiana. Sylvia was born on March 13, 1918 on a farm near Ashton, NE, the daughter of Mary Jarzynka and August Zocholl. She grew up in Exeter, NE, and obtained her Bachelors degree in 1941 from the University of Nebraska, majoring in Foods and Nutrition with a minor in English. She was a Danforth Fellowship winner. She worked for several years as a home economist in the Nebraska school lunch program and as a food tester and in product development for the former Omar Baking Company in Omaha, NE. Sylvia was a wonderful cook and loved to play the piano and sing (ever adventurous, in high school she traveled fifty miles by herself on the bus every week from Exeter to Lincoln, NE, to study piano at the University of Nebraska). She married Clemens Joseph Kielian on September 21, 1947 and resided in Omaha until 2009. They had a wonderful marriage of over forty-three years and a loving family of four children. After Clems retirement, they enjoyed traveling to many areas of the world including Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and Asia. Deeply committed to the arts and noted for her artistic contributions to church events, Sylvia was an active member for many years of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Omaha. Her particular aesthetic flair encompassed planning family outings, beautifying her surroundings, and cultivating the artistic sensibilities of her family. She moved to Bloomington, Indiana, in 2009. An avid reader, creator of striking flower arrangements, fierce lover of all things Nebraskan, and all around classy lady, she was elegant in person and a woman of uncommon faith. When someone talked to her, she listened, and her amazing blue eyes and brilliant smile never failed to light up those in her presence. Preceded in death by parents; sister, Adine and brother, Cliff Zocholl; husband, Clem Kielian. Survived by children: Marianne Kielian-Gilbert (Kevin Gilbert), Nancy Kielian Boyd, Margaret Kielian (Ed Bullock), and James Kielian (Susan Glass); seven grandchildren: Andrew and Caroline Gilbert, Alec Boyd, Darcy and Julia Bullock, and Samuel and Sophie Kielian. VISITATION Saturday, January 31st at 9:30am at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, followed by MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL at 10:30am at the church. Interment, St. John Cemetery in Bellevue. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Our Lady of Lourdes Parish and School, or Lauritzen Gardens.
HEAFEY-HEAFEY-HOFFMANN DWORAK & CUTLER Mortuaries and Crematories 7805 West Center Road Omaha, Nebraska 68124 (402) 391-3900
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