Obituary of  Zona Gayle Harty

 Zona Gayle Harty, 89, of Colorado Springs, CO passed away November 28, 2023 in Colorado Springs. 

She was born March 2, 1934 to Elfred and Mildred Oliver in Ringwood, OK. 

Zona went to high school at Ringwood High and later she worked as a local telephone operator. She would chat with people who didn’t leave their house much and kept everyone up to date with the local gossip. 

She was a great shot with a .22 and would shoot bullfrogs in the swampy areas, we don’t know why exactly. Maybe for the frog's legs?  She was not an adventurous eater, but she loved a good meal and chatting with her friends and loved ones. 

She would visit the Air Force Base in Enid, OK , as there were many young men around to check out. There, she met the love of her life, Charles J. Harty, a lovable pilot, originally from Massachusetts. He asked her to marry him and they drove to Massachusetts so she could meet his family.

Upon arriving in New England, she joyfully met Chuck’s family, and also waved at the neighbors around the house. Seeing this Okie smiling and waving, they promptly ran inside their homes.
Zona was then educated on how New England is different than Oklahoma.

Chuck and Zona were married and had two wonderful daughters. They moved from base to base before landing in Colorado Springs in 1976. Here they made their forever home. They loved to host family visitors from Oklahoma and the East Coast. They would take these low-landers and zip them right up to the top of Pikes Peak, where Chuck would inevitably open the trunk and pull-out old Air Force coats and jackets to hand out to the cold and slightly dizzy travel-ers.

Zona took up quilting, painting, antique collecting (LOTS of antiques), and playing Bridge. She loved learning new things.

She had a life well lived and a family well loved. She will be missed greatly by many. 

She is preceded in death by her husband, Lt.Col. Charles Harty; and sister, Muriel Dean Strain. 

She is survived by her sister, Maxine Smith; her children, Jill Marie and Cynthia Lynn; her son-in -law, Curt Maertens; and two grandchildren. 

Funeral Service, 12:00PM, Friday, December 15, 2023, The Springs Funeral Services, 3115 East Platte Avenue, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80919