Richard J Ziegler

                                                         Richard J. Ziegler

Richard J. Ziegler was born August 23, 1939 in Salina, Kansas to Robert and Esther (Jobst) Ziegler. He was baptized by Pastor Walter Schmidt on September 10, 1939. Richard grew up in Vesta, Nebraska and was confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Tecumseh. He graduated from Lewiston High School in 1957. He attended Doane College for two years, then served in the United States Army 1960-1963. He graduated from Doane College in 1967 with a BA degree in history. Richard started teaching and coaching for Syracuse Public Schools in 1967, and continued graduate work at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He taught through 2003 and coached through 2015. In all, he was part of Syracuse Public Schools for 48 years.

Richard married Suzanne Hoffman on December 29, 1962 at Salem United Church of Christ near Steinauer, Nebraska, and they were married for 53 years.

Richard was a lifetime member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Tecumseh, Nebraska. In the church he held many positions, including Sunday School teacher, VBS teacher, adult bible class instructor and church elder. He was a Nebraska State Track Meet official for 35 years, the secretary/treasurer for the Southwest Nebraska Bowling Corporation, and in charge of golf leagues at the Tecumseh Country Club for years.

In his free time, Richard loved to bowl, golf, and spend time outside. He was a lover of nature and trees. He planted and cared for more than 60 oak trees on his property. He was a lover of history as well. After retirement, he continued to read and study history. His favorite vacations were driving to historical sites, especially Gettysburg. Richard also had a love and commitment to Syracuse Public Schools. Beyond the classroom and coaching, he kept books at boys basketball games until he got sick, and supported students and athletes by attending volleyball, football and track events after his retirement.

Richard is survived by his wife Suzanne of Syracuse, three children, John Ziegler and wife Nonette of Los Angeles, CA, Maryann Skrabal and husband John of Omaha and Patty Mollring and husband Mitch of Elkhorn, seven grandchildren: Lauren, Logan and Luke Skrabal, and J.R., Sophie, Macy and Miles Mollring, brother, Rev. Robert “Bob” Ziegler of Atchison, KS, sisters, Nancy Nelson of Marcus, IA, and  Virginia Thomas of Beatrice, brother-in-law Jack Hoffman of Lewiston, sister-in-law Rose Wissenburg and husband Gene of Newman Grove, sister-in-law Marilyn Wells and husband Errol of Elba, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Richard is preceded in death by his parents Robert and Esther Ziegler, father and mother-in-law Harold and Edna Hoffman, sister-in-law Esther Ziegler, brother-in-law Roger Nelson, and sister-in-law Donna Hoffman.

  Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 13, 2016 at the St. John’s Lutheran Church in Tecumseh, Nebraska with Rev. Jon Rathjen officiating.   Visitation will be at the Wherry Mortuary in Tecumseh, Nebraska, Tuesday, July 12, 2016 from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with family greeting friends from 6-8 P.M.   Memorials may go to the family or St. John’s Lutheran Church, Tecumseh.   Interment will be in the Vesta Cemetery, west of Tecumseh, Nebraska, with full military rites by the Nebraska National Guard Funeral Honors Team and the American Legion Post #100 of Syracuse.   Online condolences may be left @ www.wherrymortuary.com.

 Service Information