Donald Eugene Ziegler was born Aug. 6, 1922, at home, on the family farm, in the town of Wells, Monroe County, Wis.
He was the second son of Eugene O. and Mary Ann (Mayme) (nee Goetz) Ziegler. Don attended Bohn School, Ridgeville, Monroe County, Wis., where he met many lifelong friends and the eventual love of his life, Mary Alice Rapp.
After graduating eighth grade, Don took over management of the family farm; his father Gene having tragically having passed away three years earlier. Farming it was. And, farming it would always be.
Don’s passion for farming remained with him his entire life. He was an accomplished herdsman, running a highly successful 280-acre dairy operation in Farmers’ Valley until 1994, when he sold the milk cows and concentrated on field crops. Don was an avid corn, soybean and hay producer and was nowhere more comfortable than on one of his tractors, working the soil. When not in the field, anyone visiting at 10:20 a.m. on any given day would have to wait until Don finished listening to the farm market reports.
In his early years, when he wasn’t farming, Don was playing baseball. He played for several local teams and continued to follow baseball and softball throughout his life. In later years, Don was especially fond of watching the Little League World Series and women’s collegiate softball.
Well known throughout the Coulee Region for his dance skills and outgoing nature, Don fell in love and married the quiet and shy Mary Rapp on Sept. 24, 1952, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church on Summit Ridge. While Mary was not fond of dancing, their personalities complemented each other perfectly. Both deeply religious, they were lifelong members of St. John’s and happily and joyfully participated in their faith community. It should also be noted that Don faithfully discharged his duties as an altar boy for 18 years, until the age of 22.
Don and Mary eventually left the Ziegler homestead on Summit Ridge and bought their current farm in Farmers’ Valley, which they owned and operated together for more than 50 years. They led the quintessential farm life, Don busy in the barn and in the fields while Mary tended the home and hearth. Don shared crop planting and harvesting chores with his brother-in-law, Robert Rapp, for many years, using equipment and sweat equity to harvest hay, oats, corn, and soybeans on both farms. After Bob’s passing, Don continued co-farming with Bob’s son, John Rapp.
Don and Mary had three children, Mark John, who died in infancy, Ann Marie, and Thomas William. However, their greatest pride and joy were their five granddaughters, Abby, Sarah, Ashley, Chloe and Madelynn. Collectively, the girls were a constant source of entertainment for their grandparents.
Along with his love of farming came a natural love of the outdoors. Don was an avid hunter and fisherman. It is with great regret, though, that the legendary “Walter” eluded Don his entire life. Don, his brothers, and many numerous friends and relatives created many happy memories and fish tales “up north.”
Don was also a competitive and highly accomplished tractor puller, who, together with his International Farmall 1206, dominated the 10,500-pound class of the Western Wisconsin blacktop circuit during the ‘70s and early ‘80s. A fan favorite, Don was always a gracious competitor and much admired by his fellow pullers and fans alike.
In addition to being a member of St. John’s, Don was active on many boards. He served the Town of Wells as a supervisor for more than 30 years. He was a member of the Sparta Cooperative Exchange Board of Directors, a member and officer for a local chapter of Catholic Order of Foresters, and served as president of the Wisconsin Blacktop Pullers Association.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, Gene and Mayme (Goetz) Ziegler; his loving wife, Mary Alice (Rapp); an infant son, Mark John; his brothers, Melvin, Lloyd, Paul (Carole Lynn) and Eugene; his sisters, Mary Ann Ziegler and Shirley (Leonard) Cooper; and one granddaughter, Chloe Ann Ziegler.
He is survived by his daughter, Ann Marie of Glendale, Wis.; his son, Thomas William (Jenny Malzacher) of rural Sparta; and his granddaughters, Abigail Ann Gribble, Sarah Jane Gribble, Ashley Kay Riddle, and Madelynn Rose Ziegler. He is further survived by a brother, Ernest (Mary) Ziegler of Sacramento, Calif.; a sister-in-law, Janice (Donald) Burandt of Beloit, Wis.; and many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Don often commented that he wished his funeral to be a happy one and that he wanted everyone to remember all of the good times that were had (and there were many). Memorials and donations can be made in Don and Mary’s name to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Special Olympics of Wisconsin, and the Suicide Prevention Hotline.
Donald Eugene Ziegler, 94, died peacefully at home Monday, Feb. 27, 2017, surrounded by family, in the town of Wells, Monroe County, Wis.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 4, at St. John the Baptist Parish at Summit Ridge. Father Eugene Trainer will officiate. Burial will be held at a later date. Family and friends are invited for visitation Friday, March 3, from 4–7 p.m. at the Norwalk Community Center. Family and friends are also invited for visitation Saturday from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the church. The Torkelson Page-Smith Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences are available at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
