Zola May Versemann

Zola M. Versemann, aged 56, died peacefully on August 29, 2016 after a struggle with cancer and complications from Pnuemonia. Zola was born August 1, 1960 in Ogden, Utah, the daughter of Roberta Willis Hutchison and Robert Richard Reitzel, Sr.

Zola thoroughly enjoyed camping and the outdoors. She was an avid bowler and enjoyed it very much. Zola attended Clearfield High School and was a member of the Diving/Swim team. Zola loved animals and could always be found helping strays find homes. Zola was an abstract artist and loved to paint every chance she got.

In 1979, Zola married the love of her life, Russell Joel Versemann Jr., a member of the Air Force in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The couple moved with the military and started a family of two sons, Russell J Versemann III, and Matthew R Versemann. They finally settled in Rapid City and started a family business (Dakota Tree Service) and then worked for Black Hills Power and Light. The family lived in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota and remained there for 20 years. They moved to Syracuse, Utah in 2001 with a position at Hill AFB and have been there until the present. Both sons married and gave Zola and Russ four amazing grandchildren (Russell IV and Penelope from Russell and Megan) (Maximus and Noah from Matthew and Amanda).

Zola is survived by her mother, "Willie" and her step-father, Tomas C. Hutchison; her loving husband, Russell; sons, Russell (Megan) Versemann III, Russell IV and Penelope of Syracuse; Matthew Versemann, Maximus and Noah of Syracuse; sister, Jennifer (Chadrick) Conley and their children, Austin and Sheridan.  Her brothers; Ronald (Peggy) Reitzel and their four sons Samuel, Elias (Cathy), Jacob (Crystal), Nathanael (Sarah) and their children; Michael Reitzel; three nieces from her sister Francis, Ashley (Joshua), Jacqueline (Tommy), Megan (Travis) and their children; step-sisters Vickie (Brian) Small and Sandra (Dave) Chase;  brother-in- law, Dean Carlson; sisters-in-law, Susan Versemann; Sharon Cary, Donna Randolph and their children; and a number of other relatives and close friends.

Zola was an amazing person who struggled with illness since being hurt on the job in the 90s. She was a wonderful Wife, Mother, Freind, Sister and Daughter and will be missed dearly by all who had the pleasure to know her. I know she is in Heaven with her sister who also left this world way to early. Zola Loved her grandbabies and children living close and made every day the best she could. She so yearned for the old days when everyone lived in the same area and large gatherings were a regular occurence.

There will be an informal service at Aarons Mortuary, 496 24th St., Ogden, Utah on Wednesday, September 7, 2016 from 6 to 8 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be sent in her name to America First Credit Union.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.aaronsmortuary.com.

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