William Zutavern

Bill Zutavern Prominent Sandhills Rancher Dunning, NE- William Russell Zutavern age 70 of Dunning died Saturday November 26, 2011 at his home surrounded by his family. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday November 30, 2011 at 2:00 PM at the Sandhills High School Gymnasium in Dunning, NE with the Reverend Ralph McKay officiating. Burial will be in the Dunning Cemetery with Govier Bros. Mortuary of Broken Bow in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will be held on Tuesday November 29, 2011, 8 AM to 8 PM with the family greeting friends 5 PM to 7 PM at Govier Bros. Mortuary. Memorials have been suggested to the Sandhills Heritage Museum, Open Bible Church in Dunning, or the Asera Care Hospice in Kearney. Bill was born on August 24, 1941 to Russell Conrad and Mabelle (Anderson) Zutavern at St. Francis Hospital in Grand Island, NE. Bill graduated from Dunning Public High School in 1958. Bill married Meredith Datus of Broken Bow on September 12, 1959. They made their home on the family ranch near Dunning, Nebraska. In addition to his love for ranching Bill was an avid sportsman. He also took great pride in his stewardship of the land. Bill was very active in his community and state, serving on many boards including the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and the Nebraska Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Board both appointed by the Governor. He was a Sandhills High School Board Member. Bill was a Nebraska One Box Pheasant Hunt Board Member and Foundation Board Member. In 1996, he was a host for the Cattle Baron’s Ball. He was on the Volunteer Rural Fire District Board. Bill is survived by his wife Meredith Zutavern of Dunning, son Shawn and daughter-in-law Lori of Dunning, daughter Kelly and son-in-law Frank Leonard of Gainesville, Virginia, son Shayne and daughter-in-law Paige of Lincoln, and daughter Maria of Lincoln, nine grandchildren: Drew and husband José Dimas of Omaha, Anna of Kearney, Russell of Lincoln, Elle and husband Andrew Worley of Watertown, WI, Emily, Shayne, and Elise Leonard of Gainesville, Virginia , Schyler and Zane of Lincoln, and four sisters; Aileen (Don) Davenport of Missoula, MT, Irene Owens of Traverse City, MI, Delilah VanVleet of Kearney, and Georgia (Carl) Plumb of Yakima, WA. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister LaRae Allen and brother Richard Zutavern.