Obituary of Janet Benoit Zaunbrecher

Janet Benoit Zaunbrecher, a devoted homemaker and longtime resident of Bastrop, LA, passed away Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at the age of ninety. Funeral services are scheduled for 3 PM Friday, June 5, 2026, in the chapel of Golden Funeral Home, with Deacon Mark Vareen officiating. Interment will follow in Pine Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday, prior to the service, beginning at 1 PM. Janet was married to the love of her life, Vincent Zaunbrecher, for 62 wonderful years. As a farmer’s wife and homemaker, she poured her heart into raising her five children. She was a lady of great beauty who would stun a room with her impeccable fashion and quick wit. A devout Catholic, Janet began and ended every day in prayer, reading her rosary and Bible daily. Her favorite scripture was Psalm 91, which she faithfully read every night. Janet was a vibrant member of her community and a constant giver, spending much of her life serving others through her delicious meals and tireless volunteering. Known affectionately as “Granny” not only to her own grandchildren, but to children throughout the entire community, her influence was wide and deeply felt. She also cherished her deep bonds with her girlfriends; she loved estate sale shopping with her best friends, and together they shared a life of laughter and deep affection. She is survived by her daughters, Karen Bankston (Jake), Debora Gardiner (and her special friend, Ricky), and Jan McKoin (Steven); sons, Butch Zaunbrecher (Corliss) and Jeff Zaunbrecher (Beth); seventeen grandchildren, seventeen great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; and multiple nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her special friends, Willie Mae Dooley, Joyce Chop, Dena Hawthorne, Angela Ryder, and Shirley Broussard. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Vincent Zaunbrecher; parents, Freddie and Alicia Benoit; siblings, Leroy Benoit, Joyce Bonnett, Freddie David Benoit, and Loretta Broussard; son-in-law, William (Bill) Gardiner; grandchildren, Jeffrey McKoin and Anthony "Sparky" Zaunbrecher; and her special friend, Bessie Freeman. Serving as pallbearers will be Les Tullos, Darrin Billings, John Thomas Zaunbrecher, Vincent Zaunbrecher, Chris Gardiner, Chris Rotton, Thomas Harvey, and Cody Zaunbrecher. Honorary pallbearers are Mason Tullos, Justin Cannon, Ethan Zaunbrecher, Taylan Zaunbrecher, Tucker Zaunbrecher, Kyler Zaunbrecher, William Gardiner, Dillan Gardiner, Grant Rambo, Jack Zaunbrecher, Eli Zaunbrecher, Lane Harvey, Shane Bray, Todd Soloman, and Paul Domino.