Zeta P. (Barron) Conrad, 85, of Ottawa passed away Sunday, November 24, 2019 at her home surrounded by her loving family.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 am, Saturday, November 30 at St. Patrick’s Church with Rev. Mike Driscoll officiating. Visitation will be from 3 to 6 pm, Friday, November 29 at Ottawa Funeral Home, with prayers at 2:45 pm. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park.
Zeta was born, the youngest of 11 siblings (with her twin brother John), on November 10, 1934 in Ottawa to Arthur and Elizabeth (Pleskovitch) Barron. She married the love of her life John “Jack” Conrad on September 28, 1957; he passed away after 30 fun filled years together on October 5, 1987.
Zeta wore many hats throughout her long life however after raising her family, she landed her favorite role, driving the City of Ottawa Mini Bus. For many years she was best known as “Zeta, the City Bus Driver”. She loved socializing with, and taking great care of her many passengers. She was a member of the Women of the Moose and the VFW, and was a cub scout leader. She was a member of St. Patrick’s Church.
Zeta loved baking, crocheting, feeding the neighborhood squirrels, and babysitting the family grand-dogs. Her specialty cream puffs, caramels, and Christmas cookies were a favorite of all. Zeta was a very colorful character and a friend to all who knew her.
She is survived by her children, Ralph, John (JoAnn), Jodene (Jake Gayan) Hickman, and Keith (Kimberly); grandchildren, Shawn Hickman, who took care of his grandmother for the past ten years, Tara Conrad, Kevin Hickman, Carlee Conrad, Kate (Greg) Conrad-Neurohr, and Cassidy Conrad; great-grandchildren, Jordan, Tyler, Logan, Bain, Glenda, Fiona, and Max; her oldest brother, Arthur W. Barron II; her sisters-in-law, Doris (Bretag) Barron and Charlotte Barron; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack; her infant son, Kevin Arthur Conrad; and her siblings, Francis “Manny” Barron, Lawrence “Butch” Barron, Paul “Bud” Barron, Dr. John Barron (her twin), Lorraine Barber, Shirley Miller, Adele Schott, Ruth Turner, Donna Barron along with her good friends Dorothy DeBernardi and Ruth Leason.
Pallbearers will be her grandchildren Shawn Hickman, Kevin Hickman, Cassidy Conrad, her nephews Robert Conrad, Mark Barron, and Brent Barron, along with family friends Jake Gayan, and Chuck Brue. Honorary pallbearers will be her grandchildren Tara Conrad, Carlee Conrad, Kate Conrad-Neurohr, and Greg Neurohr.
Zeta was laid to rest in the Garden of the Ten Commandments.