Darlene Mavis Zevnik

Darlene Mavis Zevnik, 88, wife of Edward Zevnik, died September 7th, 2024.

She was born on September 19, 1935, and she grew up on a farm in Primrose Township in WI. She was the daughter of the late Melvin and Emma Hustad and had five brothers and two sisters. As a young girl, she collected the chicken eggs on the farm every morning before attending a one-room schoolhouse. She graduated from Mount Horeb High School where her nickname was “Hustie.” She participated in chorus, yearbook, pep club, girls club, and glee club. Her senior quote was “mild— but not meek.” After graduating, she worked as a stenographer at International Harvester Co. 

She was married to the love of her life, Edward Zevnik on September 7, 1957. They raised four children together and she joined Ed in heaven on their 67th wedding anniversary. Darlene was a stay-at-home, loving mom and helped Ed run his plumbing business, E-Z Plumbing, for more than 40 years. They lived in the family home that Ed helped build on Segoe Road for 47 years. 

Their house was always a favorite gathering spot for many neighborhood events and pig roasts. Darlene belonged to Our Lady Queen of Peace Church for over 50 years and was a member of the Catholic Women’s Club, Queen of Peace School and Family Association, and the Westside Garden Club. She loved singing in the choir, visiting and playing with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also enjoyed baking homemade bread, bowling, polka music, and watching UW volleyball, basketball, and hockey.

She is survived by her children, Jim, of Madison, WI; Jane, of Eugene, OR, and her three children Michelle, Samuel, and Rachel; Jill, and her husband Scott Riley, of Verona, WI, and their three children, Jessica (and her husband Robert Hansberry, son Riley, and daughter Faith), Jenna, and Joe (and his wife Kirstin and son Jaxon); and Jean, and her husband Andy Lucas, of Leawood, KS, and their two children Jack and Kate. She is also survived by her two brothers, Melvin Hustad (and wife Darlene) and Myron Hustad (and wife Connie); and sisters-in-law Patty Hustad and Gloria Hustad. She is preceded in death by her parents Melvin and Emma Hustad; her husband Edward Zevnik; brothers Palmer Hustad, Gordon Hustad, and Gary Hustad; and sisters Pearl Gordon and Priscilla Bird. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE CATHOLIC CHURCH, 401 S. Owen Dr., Madison, on Friday, September 13, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery. A visitation will be held at the church on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until time of the Mass.

If you would like to watch the livestream of the service, click HERE.

Darlene loved to make signs for the front of the house to welcome visitors. Our sweet mom and grandma never met a doughnut or dessert she didn’t like. She also found great joy in sending greeting cards for any occasion with her own uplifting personal messages. In her memory, we encourage you to send a card to someone who could use some cheer. Darlene’s big heart and kindness will be dearly missed by all her family and friends.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service 

3610 Speedway Road

(608) 238-3434