North County lost one of its most beloved and respected citizens this past week when Grace Zykan died after a brief battle with leukemia. Affectionately known as “Amazing Grace” to her friends and family, she was an adored wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, and great grandmother, dear friend, and successful businesswoman. She would have been 85 in June and lived in Florissant her entire life.
Grace found time to volunteer for T.E.A.M. (The Emergency Assistance Ministry), Christian Hospital Foundation, Valley Industries, and Marygrove. She was a member of the Greater North County Chamber of Commerce for many years and received its prestigious Business Person of the Year award in 2006. As past president of Soroptimist International of St. Louis and Florissant Old Town Partners, she generously contributed her time and talents to the community for decades.
Everybody loved Grace and she loved everyone in return. Rarely was she ever seen without her beautiful smile that was punctuated by two big dimples. Members of Soroptimist will have fond memories of Grace being among the first to volunteer for anything that needed to be done, whether it was filling grocery carts at T.E.A.M., modeling at the annual fashion show and luncheon, organzing a golf tournament, or selling pretzels along the Valley of Flowers parade route.
She was a role model for all women, but her younger friends especially enjoyed listening to Grace’s stories of cycling and golfing adventures with her good friend, Ebbie Tharp. Both women were well into their 70s and were doing things that many of those younger women only dreamed of doing.
Grace actively and monetarily supported every organization with which she had a heartfelt connection. It was as recently as March 4th that she attended the Mayors’ Ball in Florissant and brought 22 guests with her.
Grace (nee Ebbesmeyer) Zykan died peacefully at home on May 4, 2017, surrounded by her loving family. She was laid to rest at Sacred Heart Cemetery beside her husband of 40+ years, Donald Zykan, Sr. Her passing leaves a huge hole in the heart of the community. She is survived by her children, Donald (the late Mickey Zykan) Zykan, Jr., Michael (Jackie Powell) Zykan, Connie (Dave) Roth, Marilyn (Tim) Fodde, Stephen (Monique) Zykan, 14 grandchildren, and 18 great grandchildren.
