Bernard Anthony Zarda

Bernard (Ben) Anthony Zarda, 93, of Shawnee, Kansas passed away on Thursday, August 13th, 2020. He was at home and surrounded by family. A Mass of Christian burial at St. Joseph Catholic Church (11311 Johnson Dr., Shawnee, Kansas 66203) will take place on Monday, August 17th at 10:30 am. Social distancing and masks will be required. The family encourages attending the service through live streaming at the St. Joseph Catholic Church’s website, you can click here the day of the service. The family asks for all to please sign the online condolence page, if you are attending the service through the livestream.

Ben found fulfilment in faith, family and charity. He was a first-generation American who was proud of his heritage. After raising money by selling eggs and milk, Ben's grandparents moved from Passau, Germany to Kansas, where they then started a dairy with $50, two cows and a handshake.

Ben was able to touch the lives of many through his businesses. He, with the help of his much-loved brother, Tom, grew Zarda Brothers Dairy into the largest dairy in the Kansas City metropolitan area. Ben was always proud when people would tell him, "My first job was at the Dairy" or "I remember standing in line for the ice cream," which would be preceded by telling him about their ice cream fountain favorite. He was a true entrepreneur. Starting banks, serving on boards, developing land and other business endeavors brought him great satisfaction.

Ben led with his faith and was devoted to charity work. He and his wife, Betty, held their Catholic faith close to the hearts. They were at the first Catholic Charities pot-luck dinner, which evolved into the Catholic Charities Snow Ball. Nearly 40 years ago they, along with Tom and Mickey Zarda, started the Catholic Charities Golf Tournament. Through the Serra Club he also sponsored and worked the Archdiose's Vocations Day for many years. He was also a proud member of the Knights of Columbus, the Order of the Holy Sepulchre and a lifelong member of St. Joseph Catholic Church.

Ben took great enjoyment in vacationing, lounging by the pool, dancing the polka, making wine, storytelling, spending time in the sun on Marco Island and visiting with his large family during the holidays. He had a mischievous grin and was always up for a good time.

Ben was married to the love of his life, Betty, for 67 years. She preceded him in death one year ago. Together they were blessed to raise 6 children, 23 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren, all of whom possess Ben's strong work ethic and love for faith and family. Ben was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Mary; his brothers, Joe, Jim, and Ed; and his sisters, Mary Hendricks and Florence Orr. He is survived by his siblings, Tom and Helen Zarda; his six children, Dana (Larry) Rieke, Marla (Charlie) Chandler, Lilli Zarda (Chris Beever), Bernie (Karen) Zarda, Nancy (Scott) Sayler and Karen (Mark) Sneed; and his beloved grandchildren, (Dana) Colby Rieke, Michael Scott, Kristen Fanning and Sean Scott; (Marla) Chuck Chandler, Elizabeth Chandler-Vos, Alex Coltrain and Sam Chandler; (Lilli) Jessica Beever, Libby Denman, Philip Connealy and Sam Beever; (Bernie) Riley Dull, Andrew Zarda, Zach Zarda and Bethany Dequine; (Nancy) Bryan Sayler, Megan Zahner, Alison Sayler and Jack Sayler; (Karen) Annie Biddlecombe, Mitchell Sneed and Monica Sneed.

His family would like to thank all of his amazing caregivers who treated him with love, compassion and care - especially Benefits of Home and Crossroads Hospice caregivers. In order to continue Ben's philanthropic legacy, the family requests donations to Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas or St. Joseph Catholic Church of Shawnee in lieu of flowers.

A Mass of Christian burial at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 11311 Johnson Dr., Shawnee, KS 66203, will take place on Monday, August 17 at 10:30 am. Social distancing and masks will be required. The family encourages attending the service through the live stream on St. Joseph Catholic Church's website, you can click here to access the funeral on the day of the service. The family asks for all to please sign the online condolence page if you are attending the service through the livestream.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, 9720 West 87th Street, Overland Park, KS 66212 or St. Joseph Catholic Church of Shawnee, 11311 Johnson Dr., Shawnee, KS 66203.