Emma L. Ziegler, 99, of Elroy and formerly of Kendall, Tomah and La Crosse died Sunday, May 15, 2016, at the Heritage Manor Nursing Home in Elroy.
She was born Dec. 20, 1916, on the family farm near Wilton to William and Amelia (Gehrke) Krause. She was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Wilton. She attended the Slaten Creek Country School. Emma was a member of the Wilton High School graduating class of 1934. After her graduation, she attended the Teacher’s Normal School in New Lisbon. She then graduated from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse with a bachelor’s degree in Education.
She was united in marriage to Myron Ziegler on Feb. 20, 1942. He preceded her in death on July 24, 1996. They lived in Norwalk for eight years until they moved to La Crosse.
Emma taught school until her retirement. She was a very devoted teacher and enjoyed working with her students and their parents. She taught for more than 42 years: 15 years in Monroe County Schools and 27 years in the City and County of La Crosse. She served as principal for 14 years.
Emma was a member of Women of the Moose and the La Crosse and Monroe County Retired Teachers Association, and she volunteered at the American Red Cross Blood Mobile. She was an avid sports fan and enjoyed attending games and cheering for the Milwaukee Braves and the Milwaukee Brewers and the Green Bay Packers. She enjoyed fishing trips “up north” and snowmobiling with her nephew Dick when she was younger.
She was a faithful member of the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Tomah and St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Wilton. She was a proud teacher her entire life, a devoted wife and a loving aunt, great-aunt and great-great-aunt.
She is survived by a sister, Margaret Muehlenkamp of La Crosse; her nephews and nieces, Richard “Dick” (Linda) Martin of Kendall, Thomas (Bridget) Muehlenkamp of Center Valley, Penn., and Mary (Peter) Beke of Cherry Valley, Ill.; her great-nephews, Thomas Muehlenkamp of San Diego, Calif., Jeffrey Muehlenkamp of Pennsylvania and Jason Martin of Kendall; her great-nieces, Jennifer (David) Gruen of Kendall and Maria Beke of Cherry Valley, Ill.; a great-great-nephew, Tyler Martin of Kendall; her great-great-nieces, Kaylin, Madelyn and Brooklyn Gruen and Makayla Martin of Kendall; a special friend, April Teal; and other relatives and friends.
In addition to her husband of 53 years, Myron; she was preceded in death by three sisters, Arvilla Krause, Erva Hancock and Esther Martin; a brother, Arnold Krause; three brothers-in-law, Elmer Hancock, Jack Muehlenkamp and Leo Martin; a sister-in-law, Leona Krause; a nephew, Terrance Muehlenkamp; and a niece, Judy Martin.
A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Friday, May 20, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 403 Mill St., Wilton. Pastor Kristin J. Wendland will officiate. Burial will be at St. Augustine Catholic Cemetery in Norwalk.
Relatives and friends are invited to call at the church on Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Online condolences may be sent to www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com. The Smith-Nelson Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.
