Zita H. Kohanek

Zita H Olig was born January 14, 1923 in Panama Iowa as one of 10 children of Suzanne and Mathias Olig.

She moved to Portsmouth Iowa until she was fourteen.

The family then moved to Omaha and they lived right up the street from Jim Kohaneks family

( All the girls said “forget about Jim Kohanek, he’s going to be a priest, he serves Mass everyday”. Jim said “Zita has the best legs in church!”)

Jim and Zita were married Oct. 2, 1943 and went on to have 4 children. James, Kathleen (deceased) Mary, John (deceased).

Zitas’ priorities were like this: 

Her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the Holy Catholic Church.

Her husband Jim who she cared for for 27 years as he suffered with MS and later died in 1997.

Her family and friends.

She was a parishioner since 1960 and attended daily Mass until Jim got too sick for her to leave him. When she moved to to New Cassel she was able to attend daily Mass again. Zita was a long time volunteer for the St. Anne’s altar committee calling this her labor of love. She was a founding member of the St. M&M funeral committee and was active in it till she sold her car at age 93.

She volunteered at Madonna School for years and then worked at the Madonna Thrift store with her friends.

Zita was an excellent seamstress and was talented at knitting and crocheting. She made Christmas stockings for everyone in our family, right up to the last two great grandkids at age 98. She also made quilts for everyone and donated many to charities.

She was part of the Prayer Shall group until she passed away June 15th, 2023 at age 100. She had a beautiful day that day with her friend Marge, and said goodnight to daughter Mary over the phone. 40 minutes later she had passed on to heaven.

Zita lived her life a dedicated servant of God. She was appropriately named after St. Zita the patron Saint of servants. Her feast day is April 27.

She is survived by her son Jim (Pam), daughter Mary Ostronic (Ray); Grandchildren: Chris Kohanek (Susan), Cindy Kohanek (Annie), Scott Ostronic (Kelly),Janna Bittle (Jackson), Tom Ostronic (Amber) John Ostronic (Jackie), Brett Ostronic (Taylor). Great grand children, Mathew Kohanek, Kennedy and Preston Kohanek D’Elia Skylar and Mackenzie Ostronic, Cooper, Brooks and Reese Ostronic, Freya and Nova Bittle, and Rowan, Hank and Roslyn Ostronic.

John A. Gentleman Mortuaries

1010 N 72 ST.

Omaha, NE. 68114