Hanni Zweifel

We say goodbye to Hanni Zweifel, a resident of Davis since 1963, who passed away on July 30, 2024 at the age of 94. She was born in Horgen, Switzerland and grew up on a family farm with her four siblings in the German-speaking region of northern Switzerland. After graduating from high school, she spent a year in the French-speaking region of Switzerland working as an au pair and then another year in England to increase her proficiency in languages. On her return to Switzerland, she continued to help her parents run the family farm. It is there that she met her husband, George, while he spent a summer working on a neighboring farm.

Hanni and George were married in 1953 and spent the next year in Zurich while he was completing his doctorate degree. The following three years were spent in Scotland at the University of Edinburgh. In 1958 Hanni and George moved to Lafayette, Indiana, where their sons Stephan and Hanspeter were born.

In 1963, Hanni’s family made their final stop in Davis, where her husband joined the faculty in the Chemistry Department at UCD. While raising their two sons, Hanni became an active participant in the tennis craze that swept Davis in the 1960s and 1970s. As a regular member of the ladies’ doubles group, and coaching a youth tennis team, she made many lifelong friends through the tennis community. Her love of conversation and eagerness to share a laugh extended to her longtime participation, with dearest friends, in the “Fluffy Donut group”.

Using the skills she learned in Switzerland, Hanni opened a needlecraft store in downtown Davis known as the Knit-Knot Shop. From 1979-1993 this small business, run by Hanni and her co-worker and friend, Joy Bluett, served the Davis community with merchandise and expertise for knitting and crocheting. Stylish sweaters, hats, and scarves adorned the residents of Davis during that time! 

Growing up in rural Switzerland instilled a lifelong appreciation for the outdoors and natural beauty. Hanni’s return visits to Switzerland with family allowed her to stay closely connected to her Swiss relatives, and allowed ample opportunities to hike in her beloved Swiss Alps. Swiss relatives from many generations made the trip to the USA at Hanni’s urging, where she and her husband would serve as enthusiastic tour guides on their road trips to visit the National Parks in the western USA. 

Hanni is survived by her husband George, son Stephan and daughter-in-law Erica, son Hanspeter and daughter-in-law Barbara, and grandson Christof. Her family would like to express gratitude to the staff at Sutter Hospice and the Happy Hearts care facility for their excellent service and compassionate care.