Zola B. Gowin (nee Larrabee), age 102, a resident of Des Plaines, Illinois for 70 years, passed away January 18, 2024. Beloved wife of 54 years to the late James L. Gowin. Loving mother of Sylvia (Ron) Gaenzle and Gloria Plushkis. Proud grandmother of Alyssa (Ben), Brian (Taylor), Janae (Kendall), Laura (Adam), Jessica (Aaron), Daniel, Rebecca, and Julia; great-grandmother of Kaleigh, Sidney, Sienna, Oliver, Michael, Mikayla, Brooklyn, Ashlyn, Emma, Jacob, Madelyn, and Eliana. Dear sister of Verna Mae, the late Vernon, the late Louise, the late Victor, the late Audrey, the late Evelyn, the late Reeva, and the late Norma.

Zola was born January 16, 1922 in Normal, Illinois to the late Everett and the late Sylvia (nee Kemp) Larrabee. During her long life, Zola had many interests. She was an avid gardener, tending to her many flowers and vegetables, which she regularly canned. As shown by her talent with gardening, Zola was very handy and creative, often found sewing, knitting, crocheting,  or even doing embroidery. She also enjoyed cooking, and loved sharing that with others, who enjoyed eating the food that she made. Service was also important to Zola, and she loved the Lord. She was a long-time member of the Des Plaines Bible Church, where she was very involved and had a wonderful time volunteering with the children. Family was most important to her, and she loved each and every one of her children and grandchildren.

Visitation will be held Monday, January 22, 2024 from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm at G.L. Hills Funeral Home, 745 Graceland Avenue, Des Plaines, Illinois. A funeral service will be held Tuesday, January 23, 2024 at 10:00 am at the funeral home. Interment to follow in Memory Gardens Cemetery, Arlington Heights, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, donations in Zola's name may be made to Brightpoint (Children's Home & Aid), 200 W Monroe St. Ste. 2100, Chicago, IL 60606, https://www.brightpoint.org/donate/ . For information, please call 847-699-9003 or visit www.glhillsfuneralhome.com .