Saturday, June 14, 2014

Billie Z

We've been away for a while. We lost our dear friend and blog designer, and just haven't had the heart to post or continue. But, time helps to accept that which we cannot change and we know Billie wouldn't have wanted us to stop posting on our blog. So, we're back. It will never look as amazing as when Billie used her creativity to make it beautiful, but we'll try.

Miss you Billie!


ZOCH, BILLIE JO (SWEEDEN)    
November 14, 1951 - March 26, 2014

Billie Jo (Sweeden) Zoch, age 62, of Bayard, Iowa, formally of Arthur, Iowa passed away on Wednesday, March 26, 2014 at the Iowa Methodist Medical Center of Des Moines, Iowa.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 PM, Wednesday, April 9, 2014 at the Christensen - Van Houten Funeral Home of Odebolt, Iowa. The Reverend Trish Underberg will officiate. Burial will follow in the Odebolt Cemetery of Odebolt, Iowa. Visitation will be held from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM on Wednesday, April 9, 2014 at the Christensen - Van Houten Funeral Home of Odebolt, Iowa. The Christensen ~ Van Houten Funeral Home of Odebolt, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online to www.christensenvanhouten.com

Billie was born at the Ida Grove Hospital to Billy Ross and Dorothy L. (Albrecht) Sweeden on November 14, 1951.  The family made their home in Odebolt until 1955, when they moved to Arthur.  Billie attended Odebolt-Arthur School, graduating in 1969.  She attended college and later got a job at Boesen the Florist in Des Moines.  In 1972, she returned to her hometown of Odebolt to work at her mom’s floral shop, Dorothy’s Flowers & Gifts. She married Tommy Allan Zoch on January 4, 1975, in Odebolt.  The couple later had two children: Carrie Jo Zoch and Luke Allan Zoch.  Billie spent several years as a stay-at-home mom and continued her love for creating by selling crafts out of the family’s home.

The years took Billie many miles away from home and in many directions.  Her most recent professions included being a graphic designer, a contracted transcriptionist, and owner of Pink Castle Design with her daughter and granddaughter.  Billie had issues with her heart over the years, but in February of 2014, she was diagnosed with cancer.  She passed away on March 26, 2014, from a massive heart attack.

Billie was a very creative person.  She loved all crafts: floral design, painting, woodworking, crocheting, and much more.  She also enjoyed reading, watching wildlife, fishing with her family, cooking, Latin dancing, the changing seasons, and spending time with her precious grandchildren.   

Left to cherish memories of Billie are her loving children, Carrie Zoch of Bayard and Luke (Jennifer) Zoch of Alta; brothers David Sweeden of Odebolt (special friend) Kit Svendsen of Ida Grove and Jeff (Naomi) Sweeden of Arthur; her mother, Dorothy L. (Albrecht) Sweeden of Arthur; grandchildren: Brexton and Dixen of Bayard, and Bryan, Landon and Cayden of Alta; as well as many other cherished family members and friends. 

Billie was preceded in death by her father, Billy Ross Sweeden; maternal grandparents Clifford and Etta Albrecht; and paternal grandparents Robert and Laura Sweeden.


Your song Billie: Ain't No Mountain High Enough