Obituary of Delores Mae (Neumann) Zervas

Delores (Dee) Mae Zervas, born January 12, 1924, has gently and peacefully embraced the joyful and loving arms of Jesus, her husband Thomas Louis Zervas, son Thomas George Zervas, mother and father, brothers and sisters, and friends who made the journey to heaven before her. Dee was a loving wife and mother who gave birth to eight children. She is survived by seven of her eight children,Jeffrey (Menchu), Annette (Colin), LaVonne (Daniel), Patricia (Arlo), Susan (Calvin), Charles (Molly), and Stephanie; daughter-in-law, Charlene Zervas; brother Paul Neumann and sister Junella Tarnowski, 16 grandchildren, Thomas, Jeffrey C, Bernadette, William “Bill” White, Daniel, Laura, Timothy, Sarah, Keith, Nettie, Heidi, Alexandria, Sophia, Colin, Jeffrey, and Clayton; and 13 great-grandchildren. She had an infectious giggle, was the spark that would always light up the room and was a bright light to many. 

She married the love of her life, Tom Zervas. Dee became a devoted mother and homemaker. Dee tirelessly raised eight children and enjoyed the company of her grand and great-grandchildren. Some of the best times were spent with friends and family during the summer months at the cabins on Deep and Grand lakes. Dee was one of the best cooks on earth, loved to garden, can fruits and vegetables, work crossword puzzles, maintain her house on Fern Avenue and travel. Dee also loved her country, to paint, laugh, sing and an occasional game of bingo.

Dee fondly reminisced about growing up in Gary/New Duluth during the Great Depression and working at the telephone company during World War II. While times must have been difficult during those periods, her memories were only of the positive; her sisters and brothers, friends from the neighborhood and telephone company, picking blueberries and the love of her life, Tom. Mom enjoyed taking the bus from Gary to Duluth to work and purchase shoes for her siblings. She truly loved watching the ships on Lake Superior and the Montauk from the banks of the St. Louis River. 

Delores, Dee, Del, Molly, Chickadee, and Mom, you will be missed but never forgotten. You gave us more love and time together than we could have ever asked for or expected. We are proud of how strong you were and grateful that you fought to stay with us. You will always be cherished and deserve the love, peace, joy, comfort, and care you will receive in heaven. You often asked us not to cry at your funeral, we will try mom, but it will be difficult for those who love you.

The service will be held at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church on Monday, July 12th. The mass will begin at 11am with the burial to follow at Calvary Cemetery at 1:30pm.