Zeta Schippel Crowther

Obituary
Zeta Schippel Crowther, beloved sister of Nora Jorgensen Johnson, went to heaven on Wednesday, November 21, 2012.
Born Zeta Marie Schippel on March 23, 1929 in Salina she was the daughter of Leon and Edith Schippel. Zeta was raised in Kansas where she remained involved in the Schippel family farming operation throughout her life. Zeta graduated for St. Mary’s Academy, Leavenworth, KS and received a degree in Social Work from Loretto Heights College in Denver, CO. She married Salina attorney Joseph B. Crowther in 1952 and utilized her training as a social worker for health departments in Saline and Dickinson Counties in Kansas. The beauty and climate of Southern California led them to make Newport Beach their home in 1960 where Zeta loved her Lido Isle home.
Zeta was an intelligent business woman who used her business success to give generously to many worthwhile organizations. The war years gave her a special love and appreciation for veterans and their related organizations. Zeta was completely dedicated to animals and their welfare. Many stray and abandoned animals found their own heaven when they were lucky enough to be adopted by Zeta.
Zeta was especially proud of her pioneer family heritage as the granddaughter of Goddhart and Clara Schippel, who homesteaded in 1856 in what later became Saline County, KS. Zeta’s grandfather acquired several thousand acres of farmland and ran a ferry across the Saline river, giving free passage to homesteaders who could not afford to pay. Zeta retained ownership of part of the original family land throughout her life.
Zeta was preceded in death by her husband and by a sister, Norma Schippel Aylward, Salina. She is survived by three nieces, Mary Grace Crosby (Ralph), McLean, VA, Jeanne Marie Edwards (Kenny), Salina and Jayne Anne Aylward (Ralph Ungles), Tonganoxie, KS and two nephews, David Geoffroy (Jody), Corona del Mar, CA and Michael Aylward (Jill) Chanute, KS along with a host of great nieces and nephews.
A Rosary will be held at 7:30 pm at Ryan Mortuary on December 2 and graveside service at 10:00 am at Mt. Calvary Cemetery on December 3. Memorial contributions may be made to the Orange County Humane Society.