Sylvia Leona Queen

Sylvia was born to William and Martha Zweygardt at the family farm  Northwest of St. Francis, on July 12, 1928.  She was the 7th of 13 children to that union. Sylvia was baptized at Salem Lutheran Church by Pastor O.H. Zeilinger.

Sylvia taught Sunday School Classes and Bible School at Salem Lutheran Church, and sang in the church choir for many years and played the piano by ear. She was also very active in the ladies WELCA group there. Many quilts were provided world-wide by these ladies at Salem, and they were also known for their legendary potlucks.

In 1961, Sylvia met and married Dale R. Queen, son of Ralph and Helen Queen.   Marlin was born in 1963.  He was the only son to this union. In December 1993, she gained a daughter as she welcomed Kimberly Brost into the family as Marlin's wife.Two grandsons were born to this union:  Derek Alexander Dale (1995) and Alexexander Benjamin (1999) Queen.  She always said that Kimberly was the daughter she never had, and she deeply cherished all of them, but none more so than the arrival of a great granddaughter, Henzleigh Ann Queen, Derek's and Kayla Reed's daughter in January, 2017.

Initially, she was the keeper of Dale's family farm until moving to town in 1970. From that point, she was a cook at the St. Francis Grade School for 25 years.  She also worked part-time as a cook and custodian at the Good Samaritan Village for 10 years. Additionally, she helped serve many banquets over the years. Her favorite one was to honor astronaut Ron Evans.

Preceding Sylvia in death are her sisters Clara, Alice, Mildred, Martha, and Lenora and brothers Alvin, Victor, Norman Eldon, and Martin.  Her husband, Dale passed away in October, 1972, at 44 years of age. She is survived by her son, Marlin and wife Kimberly of St. Francis, grandson Derek and great granddaughter, Henzleigh of Gardner, KS, and grandson Alex of Hays, KS. Also surviving, are two brothers, Harvey Zweygardt of St. Francis and Bill Zweygardt of Sterling, CO.