Elizabeth Ann Ziegler

Elizabeth, Betty, Betty Ann, Mom, Grandma, Gram Gram, and Great Grandma is preceded in death by her loving husband James H. Ziegler, her parents, and brother Clarence “Clank” Wagner. Betty is survived by her children Jim (Jeanne) Ziegler, Mary (Scott) Martin, John Ziegler, and Paul (Christina) Ziegler. She is also survived by brother Phil (Mary) Wagner, sisters Margaret Huskey, Dianne (George) Swindon, Anita Rickett, and Annette LaMora; Loving Grandma of nine and Great Grandma of one; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and other assorted relatives and very dear friends.

She has fought the good fight to the end; she has run the race to the finish; she has kept the faith.

Betty lived a complete and beautiful life, born in St. Louis in December of 1937, the first of seven children. Her early years were spent in a small home in South County, very close to where the mall is today. But she attended Immaculate Conception grade school because her grandparents lived and worked on a farm close by. While in grade school, she vaguely remembered seeing a “little guy with glasses” that was her Uncle Eugene’s best friend – it was her future husband. She helped her grandfather with chores and brought him lunch – a thermos of milk and radish sandwiches, which remained a favorite lunch for all of her life. In 1945 Clarence was drafted and sent to basic training in Portland, OR; a few months later, Connie, Betty, Clank, and Phil boarded a Pullman train and met him there. Betty fondly remembers the train trips and making her First Communion in Portland. Luckily, the war ended shortly before Clarence was to be shipped out, and they all moved back home, where a series of coincidences led them to Goldman, MO in 1946 and the only general/feed store/tavern/gas station for miles.

Some of her favorite memories are of the farm animals, horse, and ponies they raised in the backyard, riding bikes all over the back roads of Hillsboro, catching crawdads in Sandy Creek by the Covered Bridge, and working as a counselor at Camp Don Bosco.

As you can imagine, living in close proximity to a general store and tavern was interesting. There were many stories about eating expired food, helping out at the store, and of campers from Don Bosco getting into fights at the tavern with the locals.

Betty left for Mount St. Joseph Academy Boarding School in Kentucky when she was twelve. It was not a very good experience, and she told her parents she was returning home. She finished high school at St. Elizabeth’s Academy in 1955, fondly remembering her time at “St. Lizzie’s.”

Betty was the first one of her family to go to secondary school – St. John’s Mercy Hospital School of Nursing, class of 1958. She told a few stories about actually attending classes and rotations, but there were many more stories of parties and bars and fun times with her life-long friends in the city.

She was a bridesmaid in Eugene and Virginia’s wedding, and Jim was a groomsman. Betty always remembers that Jim was drunk when they were dancing, and she had to drive him home when he asked her out on their first date. They both shared a great love of jazz music, Ella Fitzgerald, and Johnny Mathis. They hung out in Gas Light square and other clubs around town.

Jim and Betty were married at Good Shepherd church on October 14, 1961, and began

married life in a rented house in Imperial before construction began on their house in Arnold on farmland once owned by distant relatives.

Betty worked at St. John’s Mercy Hospital in the operating room throughout the birth of her children, and when they went into grade school she took a part time job as a public health nurse at the Jefferson County Health Department, where she worked at three different locations until she retired in 1998.

Betty and Jim were devoted to Immaculate Conception church and served in many ministries there, including the Cub Scouts, the ProLife Committee, BirthRight, Church Council, Bible Study, countless church picnics and really whenever and wherever they were needed.

Travel was another passion. The family traveled in various station wagons from one coast to the other, and also to Wisconsin and Florida with some of the grandkids. Jim dreamt of owning an AirStream and seeing the country; Betty enjoyed many adventures with her sisters and friends, visiting Canada, Europe, the UK and China. They were some of her fondest memories.

The greatest sadness of her life was Jim’s sickness and death. It took a toll on her spirit that was never fully healed. It is a great comfort to everyone that she is now joining him.

Betty was a fun and funny person. She gave her time freely and did not have a bad thing to say about anyone. She was fiercely loyal to the church and her friends and family. She made sure that food was delivered, she was there when she was needed, and made you feel special with cards and letters.

Romans 8:28 We are well aware that God works with those who love him, those who have been called in accordance with his purpose, and turns everything to their good.

I am sure they have a place in heaven ready for you now. Her warm smile and kind ways will not be forgotten by anyone who knew her. We all love you and miss you.

Viewing to be held Heilitag-Lang-Fendler funeral home, 1081 Jeffco Blvd., Arnold, April 27 from 3-8 pm. Please be aware that COVID precautions are strictly in place: wear a mask at all times, and keep a social distance. Visitors will be limited to 15 people in the room at a time.

Funeral Mass to be held at Immaculate Conception Catholic church, 2300 Church Road, Arnold, MO. Masses may be made to Immaculate Conception Church or a church of your choice or to Birthright of Hillsboro, 407 3rd St. Hillsboro, MO 63050 in Elizabeth's Honor.

Donations

Mass requests or donations: Immaculate Conception Church, Arnold, MO

(636) 321-0002 https://icarnold.com - look for the blue “online giving” button

or Mass requests/donations to a church of your choice

Birthright of Hillsboro

www.birthrightofhillsboro.org - look for the blue “give online” button

or (636) 789-3518 PO Box 35 Hillsboro MO 63050