Joseph E. Zavorka

"He knew no Strangers" Joseph Emil Zavorka was born September 22, 1931 in Valparaiso, Nebraska to Louis Zavorka and Antonie Pavlica. He was a first-generation Czech, spoke fluent Czech and was extremely proud of his heritage. He passed away peacefully in his home on January 17, 2022. Funeral Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Friday, January 21st, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Rose Catholic Church with Father Ray Moss officiating. A Rosary will be recited Thursday, January 20th, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. at the Colyer Funeral Home Chapel. A reception will be held at the St. Rose Catholic Church Parish Hall after burial and everyone is welcome. Arrangements are under the direction of the Colyer Funeral Home and friends may send condolences to the family at www.colyerfuneralhome.com. Early in life he moved with his family to Goshen County, Wyoming. He went to school at Hawk Springs, Yoder, and Torrington. He quit school in the tenth grade because he was needed at home to farm because his brothers were away in WWII. He married his life partner and the love of his life Marjorie Ellen Joy on June 29, 1952. They were the second couple to be married in the St. Rose Catholic Church in Torrington and they would have been married 70 years this year. They raised four children, Joseph (Joey) Rodney Zavorka (Sharon) of Torrington, Geraldine (Geri) Ellen Zeimens (George) of Torrington, Steven Leroy Zavorka of Wheatland and Ronald (Ron) James Zavorka (Doreen) of Yoder. Together Joe & Marj farmed in Torrington, Huntley and finally settled in the Hawk Springs/Yoder area. They worked very hard and were extremely proud of the farm that they built. In 1996 they left the farm and moved to Torrington. Joe continued to go to the farm almost daily for several years to help his son Ron and daughter-in-law Doreen. He was a charter member of the Knights of Columbus in Torrington, the Farmers Union organization where he and Marj shared the award "Farm Family of the Year 2011" with his youngest brother Charlie Zavorka and sister-in-law Dorothy. Joe belonged to the Rex Young Rock Club, Goshen County Historical Society and Sunrise Historic and Prehistoric Preservation Society (SHAPPS). He supported the Hawk Springs Community Building projects. He had a passion for obtaining farm equity and attended several rallies which included a farmer’s demonstration at the United States Capitol. He believed that farm life was the best life to raise a family. Wherever Joe went he would introduce himself to people he did not know and strike up a conversation; he knew no strangers. Joe and Marj enjoyed polka music and they would attend dances as often as possible. Joe was always concerned about his family and friends and would frequently give them a call to make sure they were doing okay. He loved a bargain and would seek it out even if he had to drive a few miles. He kept lots of "things" around "just in case they were needed". Later in life he got interested in local history and rock collecting. Joe is survived by his wife Marjorie (Marj) and his children; six grandchildren, Ryan Zavorka of Castle Rock, CO, Christopher Zavorka (Shannon) of Cheyenne, Megan (York) Thomas of Columbus, Ohio, Molly Brock (Lane) of Kaycee, WY, Tessa Mayor (Jimmy) of Dacano, CO, Emily Zavorka of Yoder and seven great grandchildren; siblings, Frank Zavorka of AZ, Mary Rutar of Nebraska, Ann Votova of Iowa, and Charlie (Dorothy) Zavorka of Torrington; sisters-in-law, Maxine Caster of Sheridan, Nancy Maupin of Yoder, Shirley Joy of South Dakota; brothers-in-law, Paul (Mardell) Joy of Lingle, Glenn (Carla) Joy of Sheridan and several cousins, nieces, nephews and lots of friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter-in-law, Laurel (Laurie) Zavorka, brothers and their spouses, Wencil and Louis (June and Evelyn) Zavorka; sisters, Louise (George) Urbanek and Antonie (Johnny) Donbraska; sisters-in-law, Abby (Beth) Keller and Ruth Zavorka; brothers-in-law, Wendell Caster, Ron Maupin, Jim Votova, Johnny Rutar, and Howard Joy. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be given to Sunrise Historic and Prehistoric Preservation Society (SHAPPS) P.O. Box 30, Hartville, WY 82215 or Hawk Springs Community Building c/o Lou Hubbs 5947 Rd 32, Hawk Springs, WY 82217.

Joseph E. Zavorka

September 22, 1931 - January 17, 2022