William F Ziegler
William “Bill” Frank Ziegler age 67 of Menomonie, died Sunday February 2, 2014 at the Comforts of Home Memory Care in Menomonie. He was born in Sparta October 5, 1946, the son of Elinor and Carrol Ziegler. Bill attended the Sparta schools and graduated from Sparta High School. He grew up on the family farm and worked with his parents farming. His family included two sisters Nancy (Don) Hensel of Maryland and Connie Ziegler of Milwaukee. Following high school he attended college at the University of Wisconsin in LaCrosse. Bill transferred to the University of Wisconsin-Madison and graduated with a degree in agriculture.
After college Bill enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served in Vietnam flying helicopters in the HS-11 squad. The men in that unit formed a close bond and have kept in touch for all these years since serving together. He had a deep pride in serving his country and remained in the Navy until he reached retirement age after 20 years of service.
While in the service Bill married Sande Leone in 1974. After the service they lived on the farm where he grew up and were blessed with two children, Katherine Zielger (Anthony) of Las Vegas, NV and Jared of Milwaukee, and they later divorced. Sande and Bill were very proud of both their children and encouraged them in the field of music.
Throughout his entire life Bill was an active church member first of the Evangelical United Brethren Church which later merged with the Methodist Church which then became the United Methodist Church. He worshiped faithfully and held many leadership positions in the church. Bill was involved in the church in Sparta, Menomonie and Eau Claire. He became a Lay Speaker and filled the pulpit many times. He also served as the Finance Committee Chairperson and helped in the process of computerizing the church and its finances. Bill also served as Lay Leader and Lay Delegate to the Wisconsin Conference. Music was always a major part in his life. He sang in the college choir, church choir and played “the bells”. Bill also has sung in the Valley Gospel Choir for many summers and in the Godspellers, a Wisconsin United Church of Christ choir that has partnered with a German Gospel Choir. He traveled twice to Germany with that choir. Attending symphonies and chamber music concerts was a highlight of his life. Bill told his son Jarred that he wished he could play an instrument. Jared’s reply was “your voice is your instrument.” At that point he decided to take voice lessons which he did for many years. He gave yearly, “musical performance” to which he invited his family and friends who enjoyed every performance he gave.
Eventually Bill left farming and became a tax accountant specializing in farm taxes. At that time he attended the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, earning a second bachelors degree in accounting. Bill worked for HDI, Farm Credit and AgStar before he started his own business, Ziegler Tax and Accounting. He thoroughly enjoyed working with figures and doing taxes. Bill respected his clients and built strong relationships with them, always giving his best service possible. Before his retirement he worked with and for Dana Brunstrom who later bought his business while Bill was moving near retirement.
Although Bill left farming he was still a farmer at heart. He loved to work in his vegetable gardens. One year he planted and maintained three gardens. He was proud of his produce and willing shared it with others. Seeing a freezer full of garden vegetables was a delight for him. He loved to bake and did so often. Bread was his specialty and became known for “Bill’s bread”. He also made the best applesauce in the world. Yearly he picked fruit to freeze and make into jam. Bill enjoyed finding and using new recipes and did so often. With loads of tomatoes he made delicious salsa and soup.
Bill enjoyed watching sports on TV and was a faithful unswerving fan of the Green Bay Packers and the University of Wisconsin teams. Watching the Milwaukee Brewers was also high on his list of sporting events. With the exception of hockey he enjoyed watching all sports.
He married a long time friend Marilynn Mundy Rushton in May of 2011. Together they shared many travel and music experiences which always were enriching and mind stretching. They enjoyed playing card games and did so often. Their last trip together was to New York City. There Bill was able to tour the Intrepid which was the ship he was on during active Navy duty, which was another highlight in his life.
Bill loved to travel nationally and internationally. He climbed many mountains in our national parks with Marilynn’s son Shaun. He traveled to Tanzania in Africa to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. He succeeded in climbing up more than half way but was disappointed not to reach the top. He saw nature as God’s amazing creation and cared deeply for it. After his marriage to Marilynn he enjoyed camping with her.
Following their trip to New York City he was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor in May of 2013. After surgery and radiation he was able to maintain his independence for many months but eventually his memory became so confused that he had to move into the Comforts of Home Memory Care in Menomonie. For many months he was able to return home often to be with his wife Marilynn. His memory gradually declined and eventually that become impossible. Bill was a grateful for the faithful loving care of the staff at the Comforts of Home. Many plans he and Marilynn had made needed to be canceled including a trip to Alaska, a 40 day trip to the beaches in Alabama, and purchasing a winter home in Harlingen, TX.
Bill has a large extended family. The “cousins” had yearly reunions. He looked forward to these reunions and had a grand time while attending. Bill had a quite, kind and thoughtful personality. He gave his best to whatever he was doing. He lived with a grateful spirit and optimism that were genuine. Bill always had a twinkle in his eyes and big smile on his face. At times he surprised people with his humor. His Christian faith was at the center of his life. He experienced deeply the Love of God and was committed to live the Christ Way. His faith was not a set of beliefs but was a journey with God each and every day.
Bill is survived by his wife Marilynn; his daughter Katherine Ziegler (Anthon) Tang who live near Las Vegas, NV; his son, Jared of Milwaukee; sisters, Nancy (Don) Hensel of Maryland; Connie Ziegler of Milwaukee; his former wife, Sande Ziegler of Phoenix, AZ; Marilynn’s children; Lori (Dale) Blank of Hazelhust; Mark (Michelle) Rushton of Lake Mills; Shaun (Ashley Ellingson) Rushton of Madison; Heidi (Jerry) King of Elk Mound; step grandchildren, Daniel and Michael King; Julia, Nicholas and Braedon Blank; and Graham Rushton; his large extended family and friend too many in number to count or name.
He is preceded in death by his parents and his grandson, Jack, son of Katherine and Anthony.
Bills ashes will be buried in the Iron Creek Cemetery, rural Menomonie on May 17, 2014 and that same day a Veteran’s stone will be laid in the High Ground Veteran’s Memorial in his memory and honor.
Memorials may be given to the Menomonie United Methodist Church, Lake Street United Methodist Church in Eau Claire, Heifer International, or to a charity of your choice.