Jo Zagar

Jo Ann Zagar, 89, of Casper, WY, passed away on February 13, 2026 in Casper. After some years of battling physical decline, she passed peacefully.

Jo was born in Greeley Hospital, Greeley, CO to George and Marie (Stromberger) Roth on October 16, 1936. She attended rural schools near Windsor and La Salle Colorado, and the Colorado State College of Education, now UNC. She graduated with a bachelors degree in elementary education with a minor in music and taught early elementary grades in Aberdeen, WA and Spokane, WA. She moved with her first husband Wilbur Worthey to Casper in 1964, where she took up in earnest a career teaching piano which lasted 46 years if one considers that she taught her first lesson at age 16. She married Frank Zagar in 1988 until his death in 1996.

Very much a mom, Jo's love for her family knew no limits. Known for her cooking, she also had superb penmanship. She loved to decorate for holidays. Her creativity ranged from sewing her husband's fly shut for April Fool's day to making cereal-box costumes for her figure skater kids to creating gold-painted macaroni tree centerpieces.

Jo was an active promoter of the performing arts in Casper and rarely missed a concert or performance if she could help it. She had a wealth of friends, who note that she never spoke an unkind word. She loved to laugh.

As part of her impeccable sense of style, she loved the color red. She protected her backcombed hair from the Wyoming wind with scarves. She read voraciously in all genres, with special love for mysteries and fantasy. She trapped and relocated to Casper Mountain 344 squirrels, every one who dared to trespass into her back yard.

She is survived by her daughter, Tina Worthey, her son, Guy Worthey, his partner Diane, and grandchildren Kayla and Charlotte Worthey.

A service will be held 2 p.m., Monday, March 16, 2026 at First United Methodist Church in Casper, WY with a reception immediately following at the same location. In lieu of flowers, Jo requests donations to First United Methodist Church.

A life is like a song we write

In our own tone and key

Each life we touch reflects a note

That forms the melody.

We choose the theme and chorus

Of the song to bear our name

And each will have a special sound

No two can be the same.

So when someone we love departs

In memory we find

Their song plays on within the hearts

Of those left behind.