Elaine K. Ziegler
CROSS PLAINS – Elaine K. Ziegler, age 86, of Cross Plains, went home to the Lord on May 27th, 2017.
Elaine was born on Dec. 28, 1930, in Dane, WI, the daughter of John and Margaret (Karls) Statz. She had an unwavering faith in God and believed in the power of prayer. She was an active member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Cross Plains. Love of family was a lifelong theme and she had an early start on life’s work as the second oldest child of thirteen siblings. “Sis” worked hard at home, frequently missing school to help. At the age of 16, her friendly manner and blue eyes caught the attention of a shy but determined farm boy. Elaine wed Leonard Ziegler five years later on May 1, 1952 at St. Michaels Church, in Dane, Wisconsin. Married just a few weeks short of 60 years they were a wonderful example of love and partnership. When the children were grown, they enjoyed vacations to Germany, Rome, Hawaii, Branson, Mexico and Niagara Falls. They liked to watch the Brewers and make occasional trips to the casino. She also liked her part time job at the Boston Store and made many lasting friendships. After Dad became ill, Mom was his encouraging caregiver for several years. We were grateful for her continued devotion until his passing on March 23, 2012. A resourceful farm wife, Elaine raised chickens, planted a large garden and was an excellent cook. Most of all, she loved raising seven children which she and Dad did with great intelligence and joy. When giving advice she asked questions to make us think about our choices rather than tell us what to do.
Elaine was a kind spirited woman who would say it takes too much energy to be crabby. She loved her big flower garden (as long as there were no snakes), was an excellent seamstress, a spirited card player and a music lover. Some of our earliest memories are her teaching us to sing “You Are My Sunshine” or to dance the polka. She taught herself to play piano, guitar and accordion. For many years we saw her designing floor plans for her dream house, which finally came into being in 2002. Naturally, it had space to entertain her large family at the holidays. In her later years, she enjoyed nothing more than “visiting” and was usually the last to leave a party. We know she was always proud of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was always grateful that her daughters and sons-in-law were close to her as well. We have all been very blessed with such a mother.
She is survived by her children; Joan (Douglas) Pahl, Jerald (Dorothy) Ziegler, Lenny (Brenda) Ziegler, Jacqueline (Edward) Kinney, Judy (Rodney) Faust and Joyce (Robert) Feller; 18 grandchildren, Adriane (Craig) McIlwain, Eva (Dan) Allen, Douglas (Kate) Pahl, Erin (Bill) Eslinger, Dustin (Becky) Ziegler, Dylan (Stephanie) Ziegler, Dain Ziegler, Lee Ziegler, Rachel (Carlos) Jimenez, Michael (Kelsey) Ziegler, Kristen (Mike) Travis, Marina Kinney, Delanie Kinney, Kait (Dan) Timler, Anna (John Wormwood) Faust, Sarah Faust, Evan (Minda) Feller and William X. Feller; 15 great-grandchildren, Emily and Harper McIlwain, August and Maddox Allen, Braylee and Brinkley Eslinger and Joaquin, Abigail, Chaya, Isaac and Levi Jimenez, Ava, Luca and Luria Travis, Kayden Ziegler; She is survived by brothers: Kenneth, John, Victor, Robert, and Ronald Statz and her sisters Judine (Statz) Wood and Marilyn (Statz) Hurtgen. Elaine was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard Ziegler and their son, Jeffrey Ziegler; her parents Margaret and John; and siblings Sylvester, Phillip, Hilary, David and Elizabeth (Statz) Endres.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. FRANCIS XAVIER CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2947 Thinnes St., Cross Plains, at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 6, 2017, with Father Tom Kelley presiding. Burial will follow at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Monday, June 5, 2017 and also on Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass. Memorials may be made in Elaine’s name to the St. Francis Xavier Endowment Fund.
We would like to thank so many for all their support to Elaine in the last few years and especially Judine Wood, Ginny Faust, the medical providers at the Dean Clinic, Fr. Tom Kelley, St. Francis Ministry of Pastoral Care Team, and the loving staff at Girlie’s Manor in Cross Plains.
Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
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