Zeta M. (Radke) Layher

Zeta M. Layher, 88, formally of Elba, Nebraska, passed away in Mountain Home, Idaho at a hospital there on Wednesday, June 10, 2020.

Visitation will be held Friday, June 19, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.  A Rosary will follow at 10:30 a.m., and a Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Elba, Nebraska.  Interment will be in the St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery.  Local arrangements are in care of Jacobsen-Greenway-Dietz Funeral Home of St. Paul.

Zeta was born to John A. & Selma Radke on May 10, 1932 in Elba, where she was raised and graduated high school.  After school she married Robert Layher on June 25, 1951.  Robert spent two years in the United States Army taking the family to Colorado for his duty station.  Following Robert’s service, the family moved to Iowa, then back to Elba where they settled.  Zeta was a woman of many trades.  She worked as a cook for the Elba High School, a substitute rural mail carrier and an employee of The Elba State Bank.  After the bank closed, she became a caretaker for her parents, she also helped with the family business, Elba Sand and Gravel and did service for her community, especially the church.  She joined the cemetery board and assisted cleaning St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.  She moved to Idaho five years ago to be with her son Rick and family. Zeta enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Zeta is survived by her son, Ron Layher and his wife, Cindi of Elba; son, Rick Layher of Mountain Home, Idaho; sister, Virginia Powers and her husband, Gary; brother-in-law, Charles Etsen; seven grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and special friends, Mick & Patty Sok and Frank & Tara Gregoski.

Zeta was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Layher; parents, John & Selma Radke; sisters, Rita Radke, Theresa Nabity, Mae-Ann Jeratowski, Bernadette Etjen and Angela Path.