Wayne G. Ziegler
March 18, 1934 - December 11, 2016
Obituary
MADISON-Wayne G. Ziegler, age 82, left this earth on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, at his home in Madison, Wis., and is now at rest with his beloved wife, Ethel, whom he married on June 18, 1960, in Wausau, Wis. Wayne was born in Wausau on March 18, 1934, to Alfred and Mildred Ziegler, and went on to serve his country in the U.S. Army from 1954 until 1956 stationed in Germany. Upon returning, he obtained his B.B.A. from UW-Madison and began working for Wisconsin Power and Light in 1960, continuing there through his retirement in 1993. During his time with WP&L he obtained his M.B.A. from UW-Milwaukee. Always an avid community volunteer before and after retirement, Wayne committed his time to many organizations. In early days, Wayne coached his sons' football, basketball, and baseball teams. As an active parishioner at St. Dennis Church in Madison, he assisted with the annual parish festival and was most proud of his involvement with the confirmation program and spiritual retreats for more than a decade. He was also dedicated to the Pro Labore Dei mission feeding the homeless at Peace Park near State Street each Friday. For many years Wayne could be found on a corner ringing a bell for the Salvation Army or helping in a variety of ways at the Red Cross. Wayne considered himself a fan of all sports and enjoyed watching and attending games with friends and family. He was a member of the "Die Hard Cub Fan Club" since 1943, a Wrigley Field "Bleacher Bum", a "Badger" and a "Packer Backer". He was a man who enjoyed simple traditions... going to campus for a scoop of Babcock ice cream, buying (and eating!) fresh Racine Kringles, cooking "fresh and golden" pancakes, biking around the lake, and making "cheese runs" throughout Green County. Above all, he was a devoted husband, a caring father, and a fully engaged, loving and supportive grandfather and uncle. Wayne is preceded in death by his parents; and his brother, Perry Ziegler (Mary). He is survived by his son, Mark (Beth) and children, Karl, Claire, and Anna of Annandale, Va.; son, Dean (Michele) and children, Zoe and Quinten of Mequon, Wis.; and nieces, Susan Feldhausen (Ziegler) and Jennifer Friedl (Ziegler). A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. DENNIS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 505 Dempsey Rd., Madison, at 10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2016, with Father Randy Timmerman officiating. Visitation will be held at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of the service on Wednesday. A lunch reception to follow in ST. DENNIS' FELLOWSHIP HALL. Private Burial will be at Highland Memory Gardens in Cottage Grove, Wis. Memorials can be made to the Madison Chapters of the Salvation Army and Pro Libore Dei. Wayne taught us many things...mostly to love with a full heart, laugh and find humor in life, be inquisitive of all things, and give big hugs to all those who need it and will cherish it. We will cherish him forever. "CUBS WIN!!"Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608)221-5420
Events
Visitation
Wed Dec 21, 2016 @ 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM CDT
St. Dennis Catholic Church (Madison) • 505 Dempsey Rd., Madison, WI null
Mass of Christian Burial
Wed Dec 21, 2016 @ 10:30 AM CDT
St. Dennis Catholic Church (Madison) • 505 Dempsey Rd., Madison, WI null
Photos
No photos of Wayne have been shared yet.
Memories
MR
Mary Lee Rossmaessler
Other •
I was so fortunate to know Wayne and work with him on those Confirmation classes and retreats. A great sense of humor. My deepest sympathy to all of you. I know he will be missed.
CJ
Carol Jozefowicz
Other •
I met Wayne through the Kairos TEC retreats and I am forever grateful that I did. He was so filled with joy and it was infectious. I fondly recall his packing of many extra shirts for the 3-day weekends and carrying around a handkerchief to mop the sweat off his forehead. Wayne was such a kind man. When my first child was born and was in the NICU, Wayne came and treated me to a nice lunch so that I could get out of the hospital for a short time. He often would stop by unexpectedly while on one of his many road-trips around the state visiting people. Every Christmas I would look forward to receiving my Christmas card from him...always careful, after the first time, how I opened it, since they were always filled with holiday confetti. And inside was also a beautiful handwritten note reminding me that I was in his prayers and a fond memory from him. I regret not reaching out to him in the last few years when the cards stopped coming. I always said 'soon' ... and now 'soon' is too late. I am glad that Wayne and Ethel are together again because the love he had for her was inspirational, and I will keep Wayne's family in my prayers...as he did for me for so many years.
PM
Pam Myhre
Other •
Blessings to his family! I also met Wayne at TEC... he truly embodied the Christian faith and joyously embraced each person into the Catholic community! He made each person feel so very special... I have cards from Wayne with sparkles inside! Such a special and loving man- may God Rest his soul.
AF
Ann Fincutter
Other •
I met Wayne through TEC. He was a wonderful and funny man and will be missed very much. May God's perpetual light shine upon him. God Bless his family.
Ann Timmerman-Fincutter
LA
Linda Alexander
Other •
I am so sorry to hear of Wayne's passing. He was such a good neighbor to us. Always friendly and always an interesting conversationalist. And so proud of his children and grandchildren. I know he will be missed.
LC
Lori Ann Curley
Other •
Wayne was my confirmation teacher, and he helped me through a "crisis of faith" at the time. He was a wonderful, loving, caring person. A Christian in the best sense of the word. He will be missed.
-Lori Ann Curley (nee Hewuse)