Zelma Mae Reidelberger Davis
Zelma "Zeb" Mae Reidelberger Davis, age 81, of Santa Barbara, Calif., passed away on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015 in Santa Barbara, Calif., surrounded by her loving family.
Zeb was born on July 20, 1933 in Pinckneyville, Ill., a daughter to Warren and Rose (Kellerman) Reidelberger. Zelma and her twin sister, Velma, were the youngest of four children, Melvin and her sister, Erma. After graduating from high school, she moved to St. Louis, Mo. to attend Missouri Baptist Hospital School of Nursing. Upon graduation, she worked in the hospital as a Registered Nurse. Later she continued her education to obtain her bachelor's degree. She had three children, Jane, Grant and Julie. When Grant started kindergarten, she became a school nurse at Pattonville School District, St. Louis, Mo. and continued working in that position for nine years. In 1980, she and Julie moved to Merced, Calif., where her twin sister, Velma Satterfield lived. Zeb remained in Merced for the next 34 years. This move gave her professional opportunities and Julie a wonderful place to grow up. In Merced, she obtained a School of Health Credential from the State of California and specialized in working with children with special needs. In 2014, she moved to Goleta, Calif., to be closer to her daughter, Julie, and her family. Zeb loved working with children and enjoyed the diversity of cultures in the Merced area where she worked at the Merced County Office of Education as a nurse. After retiring, she loved to travel and learn about other parts of the world. Zeb also loved traveling to see her eight wonderful grandchildren in Vancouver, Canada, Kansas City and Santa Barbara, Calif. Her most enjoyable moments were when she was sharing her time with her grandchildren; watching their participation in sports or theater, reading with them, playing board games or as a spectator of professional sports. Zeb also enjoyed playing Bridge, reading and cheering on her favorite sports teams, the St. Louis Cardinals and the Kansas City Chiefs. She served as co-president of the Merced County Office California Teachers' Association for three years, was active in the League of Women Voters and a member of the Women's Service Club of Goleta.
Survivors include three children, Jane (Neil) Eskuri, Grant (Amy) Davis and Julie (Pete) Strand; eight fabulous grandchildren, Luke, Lucy and Alexandra Davis, Harper and Cooper Eskuri and Jack, Jonas and Jeremy Strand; her sister, Erma Erwin and her sister-in-law, Pat Reidelberger. In Merced, Calif., she leaves her niece and family, Terrie (John) Rohrer, Jeana, Bill and Hunter Gossett; her Overland Park, Kans. family, nephew, Reverend Steven (D.J.) Satterfield and their children, Michael Satterfield (fiancé, Kate Flowers) and Rebekah (Tim) Weibelhaus and their sons, Ethan and Andric; her Illinois family, niece, Linda (Steve) Biby and their children, Kevin (Richel) Biby and their sons, Grant and Garrett, Elizabeth (Ryan) Cheek and their sons, Ethan, Evan and Eli; nephew, David Reidelberger and niece, Sheila (Fred) Story and their daughters, Emily and Abbi and great nephew, Jay Erwin and his son, John Erwin.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Rose and Warren Reidelberger; her brother, Melvin Reidelberger, her twin sister, Velma Satterfield; two brothers-in-law, Gene Satterfield and Wendell Erwin and a nephew, J.W. Erwin III.
A private family service was held at Unity Church of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, Calif. on March 1, 2015 with her nephew, Reverend Steven Satterfield, Overland Park, Kans. officiating.