Bessie Istre Zaunbrecher

The family of Bessie Istre Zunbrecher is sad to announce the death of their mother. Mrs. Zaunbrecher died just 18 days before her 88th birthday. She passed away quietly in the comfort of her home in Hayes, LA, surrounded by her children and grandchildren. Ms. Bessie, as she was known in her community of Hayes and Bell City, was born on January 22, 1926, in Mermentau Cove in Acadia Parish, but grew up in Gueydan where her parents bought a rice and cattle farm in the late 1920's. She graduated from Gueydan High School in 1943, and married her neighbor and high school sweetheart, Wilfred Zaunbrecher in 1945. She and her husband of 50 years moved their young family to Hayes, LA, in 1953, to take advantage of a rice farming opportunity on the Illinois Plantation owned by the Lacassine Company of Lake Charles. She was a farmer's daughter and wife her entire life. As a devoted Catholic of St. John Vianney Church in Bell City for over 60 years, she actively participated in the Ladies Altar Society and taught catechism for 25 years. She was honored to be a lay minister of the Holy Eucharist and was a "behind the scenes worker" at church bazaars and community activities her entire adult life. Bessie possessed a beautiful alto voice and sang in the church choir most of her life. Although she did not read music, her ability to harmonize was first recognized at a very early age by the nuns at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Gueydan. Bessie sang in a trio at S. Peter's during her teen years. She loved her flower garden and yard work. A great cook and meticulous housekeeper, she disciplined and involved her children in the running of the house and farm as a means to teach them the value of hard work and continuity in maintaining a family home. She designed flower arrangements for home, decorated the church for holidays, and took care of seven children and a husband. She was proud of her French Acadian heritage and blended that heritage with the German heritage of her husband to create dedication to family values and "joie de vivre." The love for her children and grandchildren has instilled in each a sense of God's grace, love, and generosity. Her quiet charm, sense of fairness, and accepting nature are only some of the qualities for which she will be remembered. She is survived by her children, Myrna Primeaux (Curtis) of Lake Charles, Anthony Zaunbrecher (Judy) of Hayes, Ursula Natali (Stephen) of Holmwood, Elizabeth Zaunbrecher of Lake Charles, Angela Holland (Ricky), Jude Zaunbrecher, and Hart Zaunbrecher (Rachel) of Hayes. She was blessed with 13 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. Her grandchildren are Celeste Sweet (J.J.) of The Woodlands, TX, Anne-Marie Templet (Joseph) of Lafayette, Lisette Zaunbrecher (Dawn Chenevert) of Lafayette, Lorenz Zaunbrecher of Norman, OK, Aaron Natali (Christie) of LeBleu Settlement, Barrett Natali of Sweetlake, Seth Natali of Holmwood, Jessica Iguess (Scott) of Welsh, and Jenna, Regan, Heidi, and Will Zaunbrecher all of Hayes, and Chad Primeaux of Holmwood and nine great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Wilfred Zaunbrecher; her parents, Liza Istre and Odeade Vincent Istre; 4 brothers, Edward, Ellis, Kerney, and Terry Istre; and 2 sisters, Elia I. Vincent and Evelyn I Breaux; and one granddaughter-in-law, Amy R. Natali. A Mass of Christian burial will be held 11:00 AM on Monday, January 6, 2014 at St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Bell City, LA. The Rev. Emmanuel Tanu will officiate. Burial will follow in DeRouen Lorrain Cemetery in Hayes, LA under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Visitation will begin on Sunday in the funeral home from 3:00 PM until 9:00 PM with a rosary being held at 6:00 PM. Visitation will continue in the funeral home on Monday from 8:00 AM until leaving for the church service.