Zeta was born on March 22nd, 1930, in Iowa and was adopted by Bruno and Iva Zubradt in 1932. She grew up in Storm Lake, IA and graduated from Storm Lake High School. She was introduced to Franklin "Eugene" Hawkins by a cousin, shortly after his return home from his World War II Army service. They were married on August 26th, 1949, and soon after, set out on a journey to Rochester, MN.