John T. Zuroske

John T. Zuroske, 99 of Albion, passed away Friday, July 12, 2024, at Good Samaritan Society, Albion.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Albion, with Rev. Matt Gutowski and Rev. Msgr. John Perkinton officiating.  Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until service time.  There will be a lunch following the mass, then burial will be at St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery, Fullerton.

In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to Marguerite Rose Donor Advised Fund at Nebraska Community Foundation, PO Box 83107, Lincoln, NE 68501-3107. 

Levander Funeral Home of Albion is in charge of arrangements.  Condolences may be sent to the family at www.levanderfuneralhome.com. 

John Thomas Zuroske was born on the family farm southwest of Fullerton on May 7, 1925, to John Steven and Adeliada Mary (Podraza) Zuroske. He was baptized on May 17, 1925, at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Fullerton and was also confirmed there. John received his fundamental education out behind the barn and his academic education at Nance County District #11 through the 8th grade and then Fullerton High School, graduating with the Class of 1942. John was a veteran of the United States Air Force, from which he was honorably discharged in January 1952 as a sergeant. 

John married the love of his life, Frances Marguerite Porter, on Dec. 28, 1953, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Albion. They made their home for 50 years on the farm southwest of Fullerton where John grew up and spent his lifetime farming. In March of 1965, John and Frances adopted their son, Mark Alan. The Zuroskes moved to a house in Fullerton in 2004 and John and Frances moved to the Samaritan Estates Assisted Living in Albion in 2011 after Mark passed away on Feb. 7, 2011. Frances died on Feb. 29, 2016, and John continued to reside at Samaritan Estates until October 2022 when he moved to the Wolf Home in Albion. 

John was a member of St. Peter's Catholic Church in Fullerton, St. Michael's Catholic Church in Albion, and the Knights of Columbus Councils at both parishes. He was also a member of the American Legion Post #151 in Fullerton and Post #162 in Albion and was a proud veteran, participating in the Color Guard for both Posts. John was a voracious reader and in later years delighted in learning on his iPad. He enjoyed visiting with other farmers and folks in general, especially the coffee group at White Star that he referred to as “the college of knowledge.” John enjoyed hunting and fishing, especially with his brother-in-law, Rollin Schnieder, and had excellent hunting on his farm by Fullerton. John was proud of his Polish heritage and would throw out phrases like dzien dobry (good day) and na zdrowie (bless you or cheers) to many and he loved a good beer and polka. 

He is survived by sister-in-law, Norma Porter of Albion; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

John was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Frances; his son, Mark; and all of his siblings, Edward Joseph, Louis John (Mary), Elizabeth Valeria (Mike) Dulik, Veronica Ann (Clarence) Bender, Clifford Harry (Ella May), Regina Helen, Evelyn Mary (Richard) Rech, Lucile Catherine (Gerald) Edmonds, and Katherine Adeliada (Jerome) Merrick; in-laws, Marie (Robert) Cook, Charles (Betty) Porter, Joseph Porter, and Twyla (Rollin) Schnieder.