Jeanne Marie Zinda

Jeanne Marie Zinda (née Lepp), formerly of Green Bay, Wis., died July 5, 2025, at Las Fuentes Resort Village in Prescott, Ariz., with her son Peter at her side. She was 92. The cause of death was natural causes.

Jeanne was born June 28, 1933, in Carroll, Iowa, the eldest daughter of Edward Lepp and Florence Murphy. She spent her youth taking in Kansas City's vibrant cultural life, especially going to the movies with her friends and sisters. When the family moved to a farm outside Kansas City before World War II, she won many ribbons in 4H competitions along with her brothers. Jeanne graduated from Bishop Hogan High School (now Hogan Preparatory Academy) in Kansas City, Mo., and earned bachelor's degrees in music and English from St. Mary College (now the University of Saint Mary) in Leavenworth, Kan. She received a master's degree in music.

A classically trained lyric soprano and English teacher, Jeanne embodied intellectual authority with her upright posture, pristine Mid-Atlantic diction, and flawless grammar. Her parents instilled in her a formidable standard of excellence and responsibility, yet her disarming Missouri folksiness and hearty laugh revealed she didn't take herself too seriously. She engaged friends and family with her dry wit, tender-heartedness, and fierce loyalty.

Following college, Jeanne's teaching career launched her on a journey to parts far and away. She taught high school music in Kansas City; Billings, Mont.; and Chicago. She later taught English for the Department of Defense at the U.S. Air Force base on Midway Island and the U.S. Army base in Wiesbaden, Germany.

Jeanne eventually settled in Green Bay, Wis., where her parents and several siblings lived. She joined the faculty at Northeastern Wisconsin Technical Institute, where she met NWTI administrator Victor Zinda. They married in 1971 and welcomed their son, Peter, in 1972.

Jeanne and Vic treasured their role as Peter's parents. They enthusiastically supported his evolving hobbies and interests, often displaying signs of them in their eclectic home among the treasures they acquired during their worldly pursuits.

Jeanne later taught reading and English at St. Joseph's Academy and ended her career working with Vic once more, taking instructor positions abroad at the American School in Istanbul, Turkey. After returning to the States, Jeanne and Vic traveled the country in search of the right retirement haven and settled in Prescott Valley, Ariz. Jeanne honed her weaving and spinning skills, while Vic served as a docent at the Western Heritage Center in Prescott. In their later years, they embraced their new role as grandparents.

Throughout her life, Jeanne expressed herself through the arts. Whether mastering English, music, or functional art, she thrived among artisan communities in Northeastern Wisconsin, Washington Island, and Prescott Valley. She had a lifelong passion for books and loved discussing what she was reading with others. She excelled at sewing and knitting at a young age, took up square dancing with Vic when Peter was young, and later learned to throw pottery and craft beautiful, high-quality fiber art.

Jeanne was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Victor Zinda; and her brothers Joe Lepp and Mike Lepp.

She is survived by her son, Peter Zinda; daughter-in-law, Alison; and two granddaughters, Jackie and Cady. She is also survived by her brother, Robert (Judy) Lepp; and sisters Ruth Feldhaus, Carolyn Allard, and Kathleen Lepp (Karen Matheson).

The family extends heartfelt thanks for the excellent care Jeanne received from Prescott-area hospitals, Las Fuentes Resort Village, Hospice of the Pines, and their care management teams.