Willa "Yvonne" Ziemba

It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Willa “Yvonne” Ziemba on Thursday, November 13, 2025.

A private celebration of life will be held for the family at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be given to The Herscot Center for Tuberous Sclerosis Complex in honor of Yvonne’s granddaughter, Maggie. Donations can be mailed to The Herscot Center for TSC, Elizabeth Thiele, MD, PhD, Director, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114. 

Yvonne was born in Beatrice, NE on May 25, 1930. She was the only child of Charles and Della Mann. She graduated from Beatrice High School and attended Colorado Women’s College and the University of Nebraska where she was a member of Chi Omega sorority.

Yvonne met the love of her life, Ted Ziemba, while she was working at the apothecary in Beatrice. Upon Yvonne’s marriage to Ted they moved to Hastings in the early 1950’s where their children Michael and Mary were born. Ted and Yvonne were married for 62 years before his passing in 2011.

Yvonne taught elementary school in Hastings until the obligations of motherhood took precedence. Her love of children, however, never ceased as evidenced by her devotion to her five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. From school functions to summer travel, Yvonne never missed an opportunity to be involved in each of their lives. The running joke in the family was that each grandchild thought that they were the favorite. In truth she loved each one with her whole heart.

Reading was a passion of Yvonne’s and she spent many years employed at the bookstore in Hastings. She thoroughly enjoyed discussing the latest bestsellers with others who shared her love of literature.

Yvonne was a gracious hostess and cherished getting together with her many close friends, especially around a table of bridge. It was often said of Yvonne that she never met a stranger. Every person in the world was just a friend she hadn’t met. She was known for her wicked sense of humor and kept everyone laughing to the very end.

Yvonne was an immediate friend, a serious listener, and never afraid to speak her mind. Friends from all over sought her wise counsel and advice. She lived her life with dignity and grace.

Yvonne was a member of First Presbyterian Church and PEO Chapter GK in Hastings. She was a past board member and volunteer for SASA.

Yvonne was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.

Left to grieve her passing are children Michael (Nancy) Ziemba of Hastings and Mary (John) Conner of Leawood, KS. Grandchildren Jeff (Jamie) Ziemba of Omaha, Scott (Joanna) Ziemba of Omaha, Casey (Jordan) Coleman of San Francisco, CA, Johnny Conner of Westwood Hills, KS, and Maggie Conner of Prairie Village, KS. Great-Grandchildren Sidney, Cole, Michael, Finn, Tucker, Chloe, Quincy, and Elliot.

We would like to thank the staff, caregivers, nurses and doctors at Tiffany Square and CHI Health Center for their extraordinary care of Yvonne in this chapter of her life. We are filled with gratitude and appreciation.