Dr. Annabell Zikmund

Dr. Annabell Zikmund, 84, of Kearney passed away surrounded by her family on August 10, 2021, in St Paul, NE. Dr. Zikmund was born in Lexington, NE on December 8th, 1936, to Harlan and Mary (Bailey) Blincow. The family moved to Loup City, NE when Annabell was a young girl, and it was there she graduated high school. Annabell attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, pursuing a degree in Music Education. While at UNL Annabell auditioned for the Cornhusker Marching Band. She was of course accepted and to her dismay women at that time weren’t allowed to march but could play in the stands as the men marched on the field. She along with other female students pushed the envelope opening doors for women in music. After graduation Annabell completed her student teaching in Ord, NE. There, she lodged in the home of Louise Petska whose boyfriend Ed Zikmund introduced Annabell to his grandson Dale. Dale who was home from the Navy was smitten with Annabell. The two began dating and were married August 9, 1958. The couple moved to Lincoln, and both attended UNL where Dale pursued his undergraduate degree and Annabell, her master's. Somehow, they managed to get their degrees, making A's and B's, while simultaneously managing a growing family – their son Brian was born in March 1960, Craig in June 1961, Eric in July 1962, and David in October 1964. After Dale's graduation, the family moved to Scribner where Dale taught high school shop and was the FFA advisor. The Zikmunds then returned to Lincoln where Dale pursued his master’s and PhD. In 1972 Dale accepted a position at Kearney State College, and the family moved to Kearney, NE. It was there Annabell started substitute teaching and taught piano and voice lessons to many bright students including her grandchildren in her later years. In addition to teaching and raising her family she also began a successful career as a Tupperware dealer working her way up to Manager status. In 1983, she joined the faculty at Kearney State, where she taught until 2002 when she and Dale both retired. In 1984 Dr. Zikmund took over as director of the Nebraskats! show choir. Under her direction, the Nebraskats! performed all over the state, the country, and the world, including Australia, China, Japan, Russia, Czechoslovakia, and Germany. She was the Director until her retirement in 2002 and was extremely proud of her 'Kats, staying in touch with many of her former students. In 1988 Annabell's dissertation “The Effect of Grade Level, Gender, and Learning Style on Responses to Conservation Type Rhythmic and Melodic Patterns” was accepted and she received her Doctorate in Music Education from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. She also co-authored and published “The Effect of Perceptual Mode Preferences and Other Selected Variables on Upper Elementary School Students’ Responses to Conservation-Type Rhythmic and Melodic Tasks”. Over the years Dr. Zikmund was devoted to serving the Kearney Community and she proudly served as a member or board member of multiple organizations including Golden K Kiwanis, Kearney Woman’s Club, Kearney Area Storytelling Festival, Volunteer Coordinator at the Kearney Archway, Rowe Sanctuary Crane Center, The Crane River Theatre Company, First United Methodist Church and judging multiple band and vocal competitions. After their retirement in 2002, Doctors Dale and Annabell Zikmund traveled widely together, taking family trips to London and cruises in Germany, Egypt, and Alaska. They also traveled to Russia, China, and other destinations with their friends enjoying every moment. Annabell is survived by her husband Dale, brother Bruce Blincow and wife Jane, sons Brian, Craig (Jacque), Eric (Mary Ann), and David (Melissa); grandchildren Mitchell (Ava), Natalie (Chris), Aaron (Kassi), Jarod, Tanner, Colby, and great-granddaughter Lily Quinn. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Roger. Celebration of life will be 9:30 am Saturday, September 11th at First United Methodist Church in Kearney. Inurnment will take place at Kearney Cemetery. The family would like to thank the staff of Brookdale Kearney Northridge, Country House Residences in Kearney, NE. and Brookefield Park in St Paul, NE. for their amazing care and support. Should friends desire memorials may be sent to the family for future designation to Annabell’s favorite organizations. Condolences may be shared online at www.osrfh.com. Services are entrusted to O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral and Cremation Services.

Dr. Annabell Zikmund

December 8, 1936 - August 10, 2021