Nancy J. Zuniga

Nancy J. Zuniga, a loving wife, mother, and Nana, from Centralia, Kansas, went home to be with Jesus on Thursday, October 31, 2024, after a hard-fought battle with cancer. She was 67 years old. 

Nancy was born on February 28, 1957, in Axtell, Kansas, to Merle and Evelyn (Rettele) Barnes. She grew up in rural Vermillion, Kansas and graduated from Centralia High School in 1975. Nancy married Ronald Zuniga in 1982, and they were blessed with two daughters, Krissy and Emily. 

Nancy was a hard worker for her entire life. During her early years, she helped her parents on the family farm. After graduation, she moved to Topeka, Kansas, where she worked for the Department of Corrections, Jostens, and then Nancy and Ronald opened Amigos Cantina. In 1994, they moved back to Centralia, where Nancy opened the 6th Street Station with her family. When they served their last Taco Wednesday, Nancy went to work at the Sac and Fox Casino as a food and beverage supervisor. In 2006, Nancy joined Haverkamp Grocery in Centralia, where she made countless pizzas and made sure that the salad and lunch buffets were always ready for the community to enjoy. Nancy was a true servant who loved sharing her cooking skills with the people that she loved, enjoyed her co-workers immensely, and loved the daily conversations with the people who came into the store. Her job at the grocery store wasn’t really a job at all; rather, it was time spent with her beloved community “family.” 

Nancy was preceded in death by her parents. 

Nancy is survived by her husband, Ronald, at their home in Centralia; her two daughters, Emily (Jay) Gibbs of Centralia, and Krissy (Travis) Torkelson of Horton, Kansas; her ten grandchildren, who were her pride and joy; her stepson, Zach (Rosa) Bottenberg of Manhattan, Kansas, her stepdaughter, Valisha (Devin) Lasker of Manalapan, New Jersey; her sister, Rheta (Tom) Matson; and her brother, Mike (Melody) Barnes. 

Nancy will lie in state at the Popkess Memorial Chapel in Seneca, Kansas, on Thursday, November 7, 2024, from 8:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. A visitation will be held on Thursday evening, November 7, 2024, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Popkess Memorial Chapel. A funeral service will be held on Friday, November 8, 2024, at 11:30 a.m. at the Centralia Community Church-West in Centralia. Interment will be made in the Centralia Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to a fund yet to be designated by the family.