Genevieve Floreen Zarbok

GENEVIEVE ZARBOK 02/02/1925 - 05/22/2025 Genevieve Floreen (Toft) Zarbok, 100, of Alexandria passed away on Thursday, May 22, 2025, at Vivie Short Term Rehab Center. Funeral services were 11 a.m., on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at Zion Lutheran Church in Alexandria with Rev. Matt Lorenz presiding. Interment took place at St. Paul's Lutheran Cemetery, West Miltona. Visitation was one hour prior to the service at the church. Genevieve Floreen, daughter of Sam and Olga Mathilda (Sanstead) Toft was born on February 2, 1925, in Alexandria. She was baptized by her uncle, Rev. Gustav Sanstead and confirmed at Svea Lutheran Church in Alexandria. Both of her parents passed away four months apart when Genevieve was 7 years old. The four siblings were placed with relatives. She was raised by her grandparents, John E. and Hilda Sanstead and her aunt Hilma Sanstead. Genevieve graduated from Central High School in 1943. In 1948 she graduated from Swedish Hospital in Minneapolis where she received her RN degree and worked for three years. She was united in marriage to Norbert Fredrick Zarbok on September 17, 1950, at Svea Lutheran Church. The couple was blessed with two children, Judith Ann and Michael Alan. After living in Parkers Prairie for nine years, the family moved to St. Cloud where Genevieve continued nursing at the St. Cloud Hospital for seven years, followed by two years at Good Shepherd Nursing Home. In 1966, the family moved to Redwood Falls where Norb and Gen owned and operated a Coast-to-Coast Hardware store for 16 years and loved working together side by side. Following retirement, they enjoyed traveling in their Born Free Motorhome to various destinations throughout the United States, Mexico and Canada. Together, they spent 23 winters in Mesa, Ariz., and in 2001 moved to Alexandria. Gen is remembered for the many beautiful pieces of Norwegian Hardanger embroidery she made and teaching over 200 women in Mesa, and her daughter, Judy and granddaughter, Alycen the love of stitching. She and Norb were Master Gardeners. Gen loved to cook and bake; especially homemade bread, buns, and her famous Christmas bread, which she shared with many. She is preceded in death by her grandparents; parents; husband of 60 years, Norbert; brothers, Wendell Toft and John Toft; sister Dorothy Mae Johnson; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; and two nieces and a nephew. Genevieve is survived by her daughter, Judith Ann (Raymond) Anderson of Alexandria; son Michael Alan Zarbok of Hart Lake, Pengilly; granddaughter, Alycen (Jon) Brothen of Stillwater; great-grandchildren, Esben, Freyja, Marit, and Ingelise; sister-in-law, Myrdene Meyer; and many nieces and nephews. The pallbearers were Raymond Anderson, Jon Brothen, Thomas Stotesbery, Keith Meichsner, and John Rolf. Honorary pallbearers were Zion Quilters. Arrangements provided by Lind Family Funeral & Cremation Services, lindfamilyfh.com.