Loren H. Ziegler, age 93, of Eau Claire, WI passed away peacefully at his home on Feb. 19, 2016, under the care of Mayo Hospice Health Care.
Loren was born on July 21, 1922 in Sparta, WI, one of ten children born to Charles and Dora (Johnson) Ziegler. He attended Lower Farmers Valley Country School and graduated from Sparta High School in 1940, after which he operated his mother’s farm prior to entering the U.S. Army in 1945. Loren served in the Military Police in Munich, Germany, until his discharged in 1946, at Forte Mead, Maryland. After working various jobs in the Sparta area he re-enlisted in the Military in April of 1949, where he attended and graduated from Automatic Dial Maintenance School at Forte Monmouth, N.J. After graduation he then spent 2 years in the Signal Corps on Okinawa, until his final discharge in October of 1952. On December 1, 1952, he started working for General Telephone Co. (GTE) in Mauston, WI. He later transferred to Wisconsin Dells for 5 years, he then worked at several GTE locations in the State, before taking a position at GTE State Headquarters in Sun Prairie. Loren retired in 1982 after 30 years of service. While in Sun Prairie he was also a member of the Sun Prairie Rotary Club.
In 1970, Loren married Florence (Thomas) Bock at the Methodist Church in Sun Prairie. The couple lived in Sun Prairie, until both retired from GTE in 1981 and 1982 respectfully. During their marriage they spent many weekends and holidays at their Lake Eau Claire cottage near Augusta. Many enjoyable get togethers were held at the cottage for relatives and friends, which including picnicking, water skiing, boating, snowmobiling, etc. Loren had traveled in many countries and he and Florence traveled extensively throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico, taking advantage of holidays and vacations while working and after retirement. After retirement Loren and Florence lived in Las Vegas for approximately 20 years before moving to Chippewa Falls and Eau Claire, WI.
Loren was an avid reader and was especially interested in World-wide news, which he said affects us more than local news. He was a great historian and had an incredible memory for facts and details and remembering names and dates which he never forgot. He was a quiet man but was known for his dry sense of humor and quick wit even while dealing with his long illness. His “never give up”attitude became an inspiration to all he touched. His wife was a faithful companion and caregiver to her husband during his long illness and was “always” by his side.
Survivors include Florence his wife of 45 years; son Robert; sister Vera Siekert and sister-in-law Alice Ziegler both of Sparta; brothers-in-law, Robert (Anna) Thomas of Fall Creek and Ronald (Helen) Thomas of Brooklyn, WI; and numerous nieces and nephews. Loren was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Dora Ziegler; sisters, Bergetta Artus, Verna Chambers, Mabel Brohmer; and brothers, Clayton, Harold, Claire, Leonard and Charles.
Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Saturday at the Anderson Funeral Homein Augusta, with services at 2:00 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Burial with military honors will be held at a later date in the Farmers Valley Cemetery in Sparta.