Anastasia Yarzak , age 97 of Freeport, IL, passed away Tuesday, May 29, 2018 at the Lena Living Center in Lena, IL. She was born January 19, 1921 in Poland; the daughter of the late Stanislov and Maria Drysko. Anastasia met her husband George Yarzak while they were both working as Nazi slave laborers in Germany during WWII, they were married on June 10, 1942. They were liberated in 1945 by the American Army and remained in a displacement camp in Germany until relocating to Freeport through the help of a sponsorship through the Catholic Church.

After settling in Freeport, she had worked at Structo and Honeywell. She was a former member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Freeport and in later years enjoyed St. Joseph Adult Daycare. She loved flowers and gardening, especially red flowers.  Anna could make anything grow.  She was a great cook and no one could leave her home without eating.  She was happiest when her family was visiting and she was feeding them with food from her garden.

She is survived by her son, George (Stephanie) Yarzak, Jr. of Freeport; grandchildren, Stephanie Rush, David Rush, Ellen (Frank) Petroczky, Brett (Katie) Yarzak, and Ryan (Anna) Yarzak; and 5 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her son-in-law Robert Rush and her cat – Suzy.  She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, George; daughter, Mary Rush; and brothers, Michael and Yousef.