Surnames: Ziegler, Zajac, VandeBerg, Gross, Harwell, Pace, Armitage, Zank

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI.) November 19, 2008

Ziegler, Marion Magdalene (28 September 1912 - 17 November 2008)

Marion Magdalene Ziegler, 96, of Neillsville, formerly of Marion, died Monday, Nov. 17, 2008, at the Neillsville Memorial Health and Rehabilitation Center.

Marion was born Sept. 28, 1912, in Poland to John and Mary Zajac. At six months of age, Mary brought Marion by boat over to the United States to join John, who arrived earlier to work in Chicago. Marion’s mother died of toxic goiter when Marion was seven, leaving her to help care for three younger siblings. Her father remarried and the family moved first to a farm in Mosinee and then to a farm in Willard. Marion was united in marriage Oct. 20, 1931, to Arthur Ziegler. They lived in the Willard area until 1956, when they sold their farm and moved to Marion. There they owned and operated Zig’s Supper Club, a popular restaurant and night club on Highway 45. After selling their business, they retired in that area. Art died of a heart attack May 22, 1984, and Marion’s eldest son, DuWayne, died of brain cancer two days later, May 24, 1984.

Marion greatly enjoyed the outdoors; snowmobiling, fishing, golfing and yard work were among her favorite activities. She also traveled extensively in the United States as well as many countries abroad. Indoor past-times included crochet, counted-cross stitch and crossword puzzles.

In August of 2000, Marion was moved to the Concern Apartments to be near family and friends of earlier days. In December of 2007, Marion became a resident of the Neillsville Memorial Health and Rehabilitation Center.

Marion Magdalene Ziegler is survived by her daughter, Erline (Russel) VandeBerg of Mesa, AZ, son, Eldon (Marilyn) Ziegler of Sunbury, OH, and son Dwight (Linda), of Townsend; brother, Casimer Zajac of Neillsville; 16 grandchildren of whom Marcia Gross, Rene Harwell, Bruce, Craig, Mark and Robert VandeBerg are natives of Neillsville; 29 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services for Marion will be held at the Gesche Funeral Home Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2008 with visitation at 4 p.m. and service at 5 p.m. Fr. Woodrow H. Pace will officiate. Music will be provided by Corrine Armitage, soloist, and Eileen Zank, organist. Interment will be in the Neillsville City Cemetery.

The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Marion’s family with funeral arrangements.