Obituary of M. Kathleen Zappa

Zappa, M. Kathleen

Wife, Mother, Grandmother

Age 94 of Maplewood

Died peacefully at age 94 on February 21st, 2024, in her home at Polar Ridge Senior Living in North St. Paul, MN. Though Kathy endured several years of failing memory and health, she maintained her fighting spirit and (very) subtle sense of humor. Survived by: daughter Gina Marie Manskar (Steve); sons Anthony J. Zappa (Cindy), and James M. Zappa (Rani Murdoch Zappa); beloved grandsons Noah Manskar, Mathew Zappa, and Michael Zappa; brother Albert Mohs (Coral) and sister Marilyn Carson; brother-in-law David Tucci (Marilyn), and sister-in-law Pat Zappa; and dozens of nieces, nephews, and other generations of the Mohs and Zappa/Tucci families. Preceded in death by: parents Mathew N. and Florentine M. Mohs (nee Zins); brothers Mathew E. Mohs, Donald Mohs, and Robert Mohs; and sister Joan Liesen; husband of 67 years Joseph A. Zappa; and daughters Anne Margaret Zappa and Nancy Clare Zappa.

Kathy was born and raised in St. Cloud, Minnesota. In her youth, summers were spent at the family’s treasured cottage on Big Spunk Lake in Avon, MN (even as her memory failed, Kathy always could recall detailed memories of summers “at the Lake”). Kathy graduated from her beloved St. Cloud Cathedral High School (Class of 1948). She attended the College of St. Benedict for 2 years and worked for the Diocese of St. Cloud before moving to Minneapolis to pursue work and her future. She enjoyed her years working for the Minneapolis Tribune (always keeping her pool of male reporters in line and respectful) and 3M Company. Kathy and Joe met in 1954 at a Dominick’s Club dance, and they were joined in holy matrimony on May 14, 1955, after Kathy recovered from a serious case of diphtheria.

Kathy committed all of herself to raising her five children, and supporting their school, extracurricular, and work activities. Somehow, she also found time to serve as a committed volunteer to The Girl Scouts, St. Peter’s School (North St. Paul), St. John’s Hospital, and many other organizations. Prior to retirement, she enjoyed several years of work as a part-time bookkeeper at the Eastside YMCA on Arcade Street in St. Paul. Kathy also enjoyed opportunities to travel across the United States, Canada, and Europe, including treasured visits to close friends in England. Reading, crossword puzzles, and soap operas were her activities of choice for treasured (and rare) time alone. We are grateful to Kathy’s caregivers in the memory care unit of Polar Ridge Senior Living and from St. Croix Hospice. Most of all, we are thankful she has found peace and comfort in her Heavenly rest.

Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday, February 27 at 12:00 p.m., Church of St. Peter, 2600 N. Margaret Street, North St. Paul, MN 55109. Visitation at the Church from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Luncheon to follow. Private interment at St. Marys’ Cemetery (Addition).

Memorials can be made to St. Peter Catholic School, 2620 North Margaret Street, North Saint Paul, MN 55109, or the Shriner’s Hospitals for Children (https://www.shrinerschildrens.org/en).