Vern Paul Ziegler

Ashton – Vern Paul Ziegler, age 62, peacefully passed away on Sunday, October 2, 2011 surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with leukemia. He was born on January 28, 1949 in Madison, the son of Paul and Marie (Schroeder) Ziegler. Vern graduated from St. Peter Catholic School in 1963 before attending and graduating from Middleton High School in 1967. On July 29, 1972, Vern married Barbara Brabender. He helped his father farm until 1973 and worked in sales with several dealers including Klinzing & Associates, Mt. Horeb Implement Sloans, Bruce Co., Town & Country Ford Tractor and since 1986 has been employed with Kalscheur Implement. He was a member of St. Peter's Catholic Church, involved with local tug-a-war teams and coached the Ashton girls Softall in the 1970's and '80's. Known as “Sweet Pea”, Vern liked to play cards, garden, plant flower beds – especially roses, but loved most his time with his family. Vern will be remembered as a kind, gentle, loving man who was always there to help others, and never had a bad word to say about anyone. Loved by all who knew him, Vern was amazed on his 62nd birthday by over 200 people for his surprise birthday party. In addition to Barbara, his wife of 39 years, survivors include his children, Dawn, Paul and Kevin; his precious granddaughters, Kari and Rowan; his brother David (Dee) Ziegler; his sister, Rose (Roger) Ballweg; his sister-in-law, Mary Ziegler; his in-laws, Susan (Al) Acker-Schwab, Theresa (Linus) Ballweg, and Mary Niesen; many; nieces, nephews, greatnieces and nephews and great greatnieces and nephews; his uncle and Godfather, Alfred Nonn; and other aunts and uncles, George (Doris) Schroeder, Irna (Norbert) Esser, Dolores Pronold, Kathy Schroeder, Jonas Ziegler, Eunice Brabender, Betty Reible, Rose Nonn. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Ralph “Rooster”, his in-laws, Wienand and Lorraine (Nonn) Brabender;, brother-in-law, Edward Acker; niece, Linda Ballweg-Weber and greatnephew, Keith Acker. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. PETER'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 7121 County Hwy K, Ashton at 11 am on Saturday, October 8, 2011 with Father Brian Dulli and Father Bud Hollfedler presiding. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be on Friday, October 7, 2011 at the church from 4 pm until 7 pm when a scripture service will be held. Visitation will also be on Saturday at the church from 9:30 am until the time of services. The family would like to say “Thank you” to our many special friends, relatives, co-workers, and neighbors for the care and concern for Vern and us and also to Dr. Ryan Mattison and the nursing staff at the UW Clinic, and the Sixth floor (6 B East) nurses and nursing assistants at the UW Hospital and Hospice. Cemetery: Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will also be on Saturday at the church from 9:30 am until the time of services A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. PETER\'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 7121 County Hwy K, Ashton at 11 am on Saturday, October 8, 2011 with Father Brian Dulli and Father Bud Hollfedler presiding