Archived Services

Mary Louise Zabdyr
05-19-2022

Mary Louise Zabdyr was born in Sioux Falls, SD on May 31, 1943 to Joseph and Stella Zabdyr. She passed away on May 19, 2022.

She joined the Navy and was honorably discharged in 1961.

Mary Lou enjoyed working as a telephone operator for over 35 years as the phone company transitioned from the Bell System to Qwest to Century Link. She worked a number of years in Phoenix, AZ before returning to Sioux Falls. She was a member of the Telephone Pioneers and the Communication Workers of America (CWA).

She had the unique experiences of seeing John F. Kennedy drive by Washington High School as he campaigned for president when she was a student. Later, she was working in Washington, DC when he was assassinated and she was able to pass by his casket.

She attended National American University to become a Massage Therapist and also worked part-time at K-Mart.

She enjoyed classic cars and going to car shows, doing ceramics with her mother and gardening. She attended Saturday mass at St. Joseph’s Cathedral as long as she could.

Halloween was her favorite holiday. She would dress up as a witch and walk up and down our sidewalk on 12^th Street waving and greeting everyone.

She was known for her sense of humor, her fun-loving spirit, her impromptu dancing, her courtesy and always wanting to believe the best in others. She loved life and peanut butter malts from B & G Milky Way.

She survived polio as a child and we were all blessed to know her.

She is survived by her daughter: Veronica Fairchild; three grandsons: Torin, Peyton and Devon; two granddaughters: London Zerfas and Jayden Fairchild; two great-grandchildren: Braxtyn and Stella Zerfas; and her sister: Judy Zabdyr.

Visitation will be Tuesday, May 24, 5 PM at Barnett-Lewis Funeral Home with a Scripture Vigil at 6:30PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, May 25, 10 AM at the cathedral of St. Joseph with burial to follow at St. Michael Cemetery will Full Military Rites.