Dean Hansen Ziegler
August 12, 1933 - January 27, 2019
Obituary
SUN PRAIRIE- Dean Hansen Ziegler, age 85, of Sun Prairie, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019. He was born on Aug. 12, 1933, the son of Irvin and Hazel (Hansen) Ziegler. In 1950, Dean won the State Livestock Judging Contest, which allowed him to attend the International Livestock Judging Contest. He won 1st place, which was a prize of a four-year scholarship to the university of his choice, which he declined to go back home and become a full-time farmer with his family. He graduated from Sun Prairie High School in 1951, and started farming corn, oats, hay, and tobacco as cash crops. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in October of 1957, was stationed in Fort Sill, Okla., and spent nearly two years in Germany. After getting out of the Army, Dean attended a dance in Madison, where he met the love of his life, Virginia “Ginny” Mason. They met in October, were engaged at Christmas of that year, and were married the following May. Together they had four children. The family owns “Ziggy’s Piggy Farm” on Highway N with the beautiful red buildings and the big yellow smiley faces on them, where he raised award-winning pigs. Dean was a longtime volunteer at the Dane County Fair, was a founding member of the Meat Animal Sale, and was an alumni and supporter of 4-H and FFA. Dean is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Ginny; his children, Danny (Sue), Debbie (Bob), and Doug (Patty); six grandchildren, Emily, Jonathan, Sarah, Kristin, Carson, and Morgan; and six great-grandchildren, Elizabeth Anne, Payton, Braelyn, Reagan, Brooklyn, and Logan. He was preceded in death by his son, Rodney Michael; brother, Irvin; and sister, Phyllis Wolf. A Celebration of Dean’s Life will be held at PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH, 1007 Stonehaven Dr., Sun Prairie, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019, with a luncheon immediately following. Visitation will be held at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday. Burial will be held at Roselawn Memorial Park. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Dr.
(608) 221-5420
Events
Visitation
Sat Feb 2, 2019 @ 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM CDT
Peace Lutheran Church • 1007 Stonehaven Dr., Sun Prairie, WI 53590
Celebration of Life
Sat Feb 2, 2019 @ 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT
Peace Lutheran Church • 1007 Stonehaven Dr., Sun Prairie, WI 53590
Photos
No photos of Dean have been shared yet.
Memories
PW
Pat and Wayne Wollin
Other •
Our thoughts and prayers are with you Ziegler family! We were on the Meat Animal Sale Committee with Dean volunteering at the Dane Co. Fair. So sorry for your loss.
Pat and Wayne Wollin
KJ
Kate Adametz Jenkins
Other •
Doug and family, my sincerest condolences to you all. - Kate Adametz Jenkins
JG
joanne ganske
Other •
My deepest sympathies to Ginny and the family for the loss of Dean. It was my pleasure to meet with you both on the farm, auto and umbrella insurance and I was 'delighted to take a Special Photo' of the 2 of you in front of the Ziggly's Piggy Farm sign. It'll be in your file at the office "forever". May he RIP. Joanne Ganske, Endres Insurance.
GM
Gilda Mulvaney
Other •
Ginny,
We just never thought this day would come! How did you ever get him to sit still for that picture?
My heart is heavy but I know Dean wouldn't want me to dwell on his death: The flood of
memories make me smile and giggle!
HS
Heather Sullivan
Other •
I worked with Dean for many years at Mounds. He was such an amazing person. Always so positive and willing to go above and beyond to help others. He was always a hard worker and had a funny sense of humor. He will be missed!
LH
Linda Hoffman
Other •
I couldn't have hand picked a better Brother-In-Law if I had tried! He was always so up beat and jolly, just like his smiley face that was his signia! He was the best husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather anyone could have asked for too! He will be greatly missed at our family gatherings, but I know he will be watching over our precious Aiden and all of the rest of our family members that he has joined!