Leo J. Ziegler

Leo J. Ziegler, 91, passed away on Wednesday, November 10, 2021, at Eventide Heartland Care Center, Devils Lake. 

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 17, 2021, at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 7:00 p.m.   The Rosary will be led by the Knights of Columbus with Deacon Ken Severinson officiating the Scripture Service.  Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, November 18, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Reverend Steven Wirth celebrating the Mass. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery. 

Leo James Ziegler, son of Joseph E. and Clara R. (Walford) Ziegler, was born on September 8, 1930, at the General Hospital in Devils Lake, ND.  Leo was a lifelong resident of the Lake Region; he grew-up on the family farm, attended Devils Lake Schools, and graduated from Central High School in 1948. 

Leo met his bride, Angela Marie Vetsch, at a dance in Starkweather, ND.  They were united in marriage on October 7, 1954, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Devils Lake.  They operated a farm at the “Knuckles” until 1959, then moved to Penn where they farmed until 1961, and later moved to the family farm north of Devils Lake - the “home place.”  In the Fall of 1996, they moved into their home in town.

Leo’s passion was farming, and even as he aged, he never lost interest in the day-to-day workings of the farm.  In addition to crops, they also raised cattle, pigs, and chickens.  After moving off the farm, gardening became Leo’s favorite pastime, which kept him close to the farm and the soil.  He generously shared what he harvested from his garden with others.

Leo was a lifelong member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus and was a member of the Eagles and Elks Lodges for many years.  He also served as President of St. Mary’s School Board and gave his time and talent to serve on the Farmers Union Elevator Board and Lake Region Credit Union Board.  In their younger years, Leo and Angela were members of the Lake Region Curling Club, and they never said no to a good game of pinochle.

Faith and family sustained Leo throughout his 91 years.  His wife Angela died only a year ago on November 15, 2020.   We return Leo to his Lord and Savior and hold his memory in our hearts forever.

Leo is survived by his children Jim (Mary) Ziegler of Devils Lake, Jean Corbett, Fargo ND, Michael Ziegler also of Devils Lake, and Lisa (Philip) Windjue of West Fargo ND; grandchildren Matthew (Cindy) Ziegler, Marland (Laura) Ziegler, and Andrew Ziegler, Corinne Corbett and Conner (Sara) Corbett, Wyatt Ziegler and Savanna (Jordan) Braathen, Alex (Tayler) Windjue and Krista (Layne) Egan; great grandchildren Nathan, Ryan, Jocelyn, Steven, Colin, Cameron, and Bryer;  brothers Earl Ziegler, Lake Kiowa TX, Jeanette Ziegler (sister-in-law), Arlington, TX, and Kenneth (Mona) Ziegler, Bismarck ND; and many in-laws, nieces, nephews, and their families. 

He was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Clara, wife Angela, sister Lois Johnson, and brother Lawrence Ziegler.

Casket Bearers for Leo will be his grandsons Matthew Ziegler, Marland Ziegler, Andrew Ziegler, Conner Corbett, Alex Windjue, and Wyatt Ziegler.  Reading Scripture will be Joey Vetsch and Eucharistic Gift Bearers will be Ryan and Jocelyn Ziegler.