Regena "Gena" Zahn

Regena “Gena” Zahn passed from this world May 27, 2022 at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Billings, MT. due to a heart attack. Gena came into this world on February 15, 1938 in Bridgeport, NE, born to Boyd and Dorothy (Shephard) Hanway. Growing up they lived in various places, Nebraska, Wyoming, Southern Idaho and ended up settling in the Dalles/Hood River, Oregon area. Gena was active in sports in school, notably playing volleyball. She married and moved to Lewistown, MT, whereupon she had two sons, Randy & Charles Emery. Around 1965 the family moved to Roy, MT, which became her home for the rest of her life. Divorced around 1976, Gena was a single parent for a few years and was a cook at Kalal’s Corner. It was during this period she met and then married Wilbert “Hap” Zahn. They were married September 15, 1979 and were life partners for the next 43 years. Hap and Gena lived in Roy for a couple of years then moved out to the Zahn ranch off of Wilder Trail northeast of Roy. Gena loved the ranch life and working the ranch with Hap, working cattle, riding horses, riding various ATVs. etc. In addition to working the ranch with Hap, Gena had many interests. She worked as an EMT for 20+ years, learned to play the piano, was an active gardener for all her adult life. She helped Hap teach hunters safety for local youths for 40+ years and was even a Den mother at one point for the Boy Scouts. She loved to quilt and was a member of the Praire Piece Maker Quilting Club. She took care of her dad (Boyd Hanway) thru the last years of his life along with both of Haps parents. She was an excellent cook and with various dishes being legendary, with homemade bread, cinnamon rolls, fudge leaping to mind. Nobody went hungry when Gena was cooking, and she cooked a lot!!! She was always at her son’s athletic events and was a mainstay at ranch events and various family reunions. Gena was an avid reader and kept a large library full of books. She enjoyed traveling and visiting friends, along with camping, hunting and fishing. She treasured her grandchildren, and family in general. Gena was a good wife, friend and a loving mother. She will be missed!!!

Graveside services will be held on Saturday, July 16th, 2022 in the Central Montana Memorial Gardens at 11:00 a.m. with a celebration of life to follow at 1:00 p.m. in the Roy School. Condolences for the family may be posted online at www.cloydfuneralhome.com.