BEVERLY JEANNE KNICKERBOCKER ZANK

1923-2017

Beverly Jeanne Knickerbocker passed away peacefully Tuesday morning on January 24, 2017 at Brookdale Senior Living Center in Sugar Land, Texas. She was born in 1923 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The eldest of eight children, Jeanne was raised during the Great Depression, and as a young woman worked as an inspector in a munitions plant during WWII. Around that time, she met and married Vernon C. Zank in 1943. Throughout their 66 year marriage, Vern always called her “the most beautiful girl in the world”. Together they travelled the country and settled wherever Vern’s sales career took them. Her daughters fondly remember how she filled the days with delight, encouraging and inspiring creativity and wonder. She had a knack for taking everyday moments and turning them into extraordinary occasions. She loved to celebrate the seasons by decorating her home and had a true talent for creating uniquely themed and enchanting parties. In 1960, Jeanne and her family settled permanently in Houston where for almost sixty years she was active in her church and community, volunteering, teaching, and devoting time to charity work. Later she anchored a Ladies Bible Study group that she treasured.

She was an avid reader and a great connoisseur of garage sales. Her neighbors, friends, and family will always remember her kindness, patience, her enduing gentle and sweet personality, and her charming whimsical sense of humor. Much loved by those who knew her, she was generous with her time and spirit and truly enjoyed giving to others. She was preceded by her husband Vern, and is survived by her youngest sister Gretchen Lowe and brothers Tom and Jerry Knickerbocker. She also leaves five daughters: Jill Keller and husband John, Robin Zank, Dixie Damrel and husband Dave, Shelley Marlow and husband Carl DiGulio, and Noel Zank. She was blessed with grandchildren Zeke Zank Prebluda, Tim Keller and wife Sarita, Bucky Keller, and Katie Keller and two precious great grandchildren Leela and Jackson Keller. A memorial service is planned for Friday, February 10 at St. Martin’s Lutheran Church at 1123 Burney Road in Sugar Land, with a lunch served afterward at the church. The family would like to thank the people who have prayed for Jeanne in her last years, and give a special thanks to the wonderful caregivers at Brookdale Memory Care Unit for the gentle love and extraordinary care they showed to our mother. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy-516 North Adams St. Tallahassee, Florida 32301.