Zona Marie Sparkman

Zona Marie Sparkman passed away in peace on April 2, 2026, surrounded by the love of her children and grandchildren.

Zona was born on June 22, 1944, in Del Norte, Colorado, to Louise and Nelson Whitsitt. She was the youngest of seven and grew up entertained and loved by her two brothers and four sisters. Her daddy passed away when she was just seven, and her mom raised her well as a determined single mother. Zona continued to be doted on by all of her siblings. Her most precious memories of them included de-skunking a baby skunk to be her pet, adventuring to the World’s Fair in Seattle, and even taking her in as their own and moving her to Texas for a brief time.

A graduate of Del Norte High School, Zona was a vibrant participant in school life, including being a cheerleader and homecoming royalty.

After graduation, a stranger, soon to become the love of her life, drove up to the to-go window at the Tastee Freez, quietly ordering a hot tea and stealing her heart forever. Their love story was punctuated by serendipity, sharing birthdays on the 22nd of their respective months, which inspired their December 22nd wedding in 1962. Zona’s children find it peacefully fitting that they both chose to embrace heaven on the 2nd of November and the 2nd of April.

Gary and Zona relocated from Del Norte to Durango, where they welcomed their eldest daughter, Garyn. After landing a teaching and coaching position, they planted their roots and began raising their family in Hotchkiss, Colorado, with their son Randy joining them a couple of years later. As Zona approached the end of her pregnancy with her youngest, Kimberly, the family of five, along with their new puppy, Muffin, moved into what will forever be known as “The Sparkman House,” right in the heart of town. Zona was the matriarch supreme in the big yellow house, where friends and family frequently gathered for her delicious Zona tacos, kids’ sleepovers, a whole variety of get-togethers following school-events, not to mention her legendary After-Thanksgiving parties. Everyone was welcome in Zona’s home, and you always left full!

The Sparkmans opened their home to various foreign exchange students throughout the years. Zona quickly embraced Gerd as her Danish daughter and experienced great joy in traveling to Europe to visit her family, as well as welcoming them to the U.S. whenever she could.

The Hotchkiss Community Methodist Church building was a constant in Zona's life, where she and her family were dedicated members and attended Sunday services regularly. On many weeknights, Zona could be found actively participating on various church boards. Additionally, she held the role of Mother Advisor for the local Rainbow Girls and contributed her time to Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts. Zona was also a proud member of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, Neighborly Circle, and Peace Circle. She dedicated herself to her community by serving as an elected member of the Town Council.

Zona worked at the Del Norte hospital when she was first married and proceeded to take on varying occupations in Hotchkiss after her youngest started kindergarten. She was always right at home in the public square, where she would shine her beautiful Zona smile and graciously offer amazing customer service. She started at Roberts Foods, helped her brother Maurice at Rowe’s Grocery, served as a caring EMT on the ambulance, worked in Cocklin’s dental office, and then settled in and found her passion for helping the public as an insurance agent with the Neill Agency for many years.

As her husband settled into retirement, Zona took a job at Paradise on a Hanger, where she had fun working with friends and supplying joyful, bright Hawaiian shirts all across the world with a window view of Crawford, Colorado’s Needle Rock.

Zona lost Gary in the beat of a heart in the year 2000, and though she stayed in the big yellow house for a few more years, it was just never the same as a widow. Having her children and grandchildren hours away was simply too far, so she made the choice to let go of The Sparkman House and moved to Greeley, Colorado in 2005. Always one to bloom where she was planted, Zona transformed her new space into a stunning home filled with antiques, pottery, plants, and thoughtfully curated collections of kitsch.

In this new chapter, Zona was able to be adventurous, traveling to both Denmark and Ireland, as well as taking cruise ships to Hawaii, Central America and through the Panama Canal. She took advantage of going to concerts, plays and community events. Zona loved exploring the Loveland Sculpture Park and celebrated her 70th birthday by dining with the renowned sculptor Victor Issa in his home, surrounded by her children. This special occasion allowed her to deepen her understanding of the creative and technical process behind the art she adored so much.

Zona lived as fully as she could in the last years of her life, continuing to soak up time with her children, grandchildren, and friends. Zona found such delight in opening her doors to guests and creating unforgettable memories!

Zona is survived by her dear sister, Maurine, her children Garyn (Rich), Randy (Michelle), and Kymberli (Joe), her treasured grandchildren Kendall (Dustin), Karlee, Varick, Kyle (Alex), and Ryan (Mackenzie), and great-grandchildren Ellie, Grace, Kiya, and Nixxi. She is preceded in death by her parents, siblings Richard, Charlotte, Maurice, Dorothy, and Wilma, and her beloved husband, Gary.

Zona's legacy of love, laughter, and community spirit will be remembered and cherished by all who knew her.