Shirley Zars

Shirley Zars Obituary Shirley Zars, age 97, of Geneva, passed away Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at Sherman Hospital in Elgin. Shirley Olson Zars was born on March 11, 1928, in Elgin, Illinois to Jennie and Gerald Olson. After graduation from Elgin High School in 1946, she was a stenographer at Elgin National Watch Company. Shirley was baptized, confirmed, and married at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Elgin. Shirley was married to Erwin (Erv) Zars on May 23, 1953. Shirley and Erv transferred to Geneva Lutheran Church in 1973 after a move for Erv’s work. Shirley was a caring mother and grandmother. Shirley found great joy in spending time with and hosting family and friends. Shirley was actively involved in Sunday School teaching, church committees, Geneva Newcomers Club and water aerobics classes. She cherished card playing with Elgin High School friends and the Ginger Lane Ladies of Geneva throughout her life. Knitting for family members, reading books and keeping up with the news were also joys in Shirley’s life. Throughout sixty-three years of marriage, Shirley and Erv shared their love of ballroom dancing. They enjoyed following all their children’s and grandchildren’s sport and school activities and taking family vacations. Shirley and Erv relished travelling abroad with friends and seeing the world in their later years. Shirley will be missed by her loving and devoted children Kathryn Dvorak (John), Michael Zars (Carol) and David Zars (Edith). She is survived by her dear grandchildren Joshua (Paige), Travis (Lucia), Keith, Jacob (Megan), Diana (Nicholas), Reid and Stephanie. Shirley is also survived by nine great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Shirley was preceded in death by her parents in 1993, and her brothers, Melvin in 2015, Laverne in 2017, and Neil in 2020. Her beloved and wonderful husband Erv passed away in 2016. Visitation will be held Sunday, May 18 from 4:00 -7:00 pm at Malone Funeral Home, 324 E. State Street (Route 38), Geneva. A visitation will be held Monday, May 19, 2025 from 9:30 am until the time of her funeral service at 10:30 am at Geneva Lutheran Church, 301 S. 3rd Street, Geneva with Pastor Trudy Stoffel officiating. Burial will be held at Lakewood Memorial Park in Elgin. Memorials to Geneva Lutheran Church, 301 S. 3rd Street, Geneva, Illinois 60134 would be appreciated. For information 630-232-8233 or visit www.malonefh.com.   To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Shirley Zars, please visit our floral store. Read More