Valera M. Zern, 83, of rural Niota, Illinois died Saturday, December 6, 2008 following an automobile accident near Colusa, Illinois.

She was born November 2, 1925 near Colusa, the daughter of Vane and Edna Kidson Zern.
She graduated in 1942 from the Colusa High School. She worked at the Farm Bureau office in Carthage, the Harmony Mutual Insurance and the Carthage Mutual Insurance offices from 1969 - 1981 and was a part time Post Mistress at the Colusa Post Office in her later years. She was a lifelong member of the Colusa Church where she served as pianist, helped with Junior Church and belonged to the Ladies Aid Society. She was also a member of the Twiddlers Club. Her favorite pastime was attending antique auctions and collecting glassware.

She is survived by several cousins and her beloved dog, Cherie. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Friday, December 12, 2008 at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in LaHarpe with Bob Wagner officiating. Burial will be in the Myers Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home between 2:00 and 8:00 P.M. Thursday. A memorial fund has been established for the Colusa United Methodist Church.