Norman Paul Ziegler

of Woodbury, Minnesota

Passed away peacefully at Woodwinds Hospital in Woodbury on Friday February 10, 2017. Norman Paul Ziegler, the son of Paul and Charlotte (Waters) Ziegler, was born on February 20, 1943 in Vesta, MN. As a child he had moved with his family to Gibbon, MN. He graduated from Gibbon High School in 1961. Throughout his high school years he had many friends and was very active in sports and activities, which included: band, track, basketball and football. He had a love for cars and mechanics and went on to attend a Technical College for Drafting and Design in Minneapolis, MN which started his lifetime career in Mechanical Engineering designing equipment for Deluxe Corporation and Phillips Origins. In addition to his chosen vocation, he took a second job selling boats to help make ends meet. He married Ruth (Nichols) Ziegler in Watertown, SD in September, 1965. They started out in a small one-bedroom bungalow in Brooklyn Park, MN and eventually settled in Ham Lake, MN to raise their three children. Norm took great pride in being actively involved in the construction of a home for his family. Norm later went on to meet JoAnne (Cadwallader) Ziegler on the dance floor in 1987. After relocating to Woodbury, MN in 1990 they decided to marry and were then married in July, 1993. A year after sadly losing his wife, JoAnne in June 2014, Norm met Marli and a new bond developed with someone that shared his passion for life. He had an affinity for country music, chocolate milk shakes and traveling. He had a deep affection for animals, especially for his horses "Stony and Babe" and dogs "Ginger and Buffy". He enjoyed playing cribbage, dancing, karaoke, horseback riding, swimming, fishing and boating. He had often shared fond memories of spending warm summer days boating and water-skiing with his family on Coon Lake located in Ham Lake, MN. He had a deep appreciation for nature and enjoyed being outdoors where he often said he felt closest to God. Following his retirement in 2013 as a Contract Engineer he began volunteering his time as a mentor to help high school students involved with the East Ridge Robotics Team. During this time, he also rekindled his interest in drawing; taking classes at the local Community Center. He found peace, serenity, and acceptance in the quiet moments he shared while fishing and cherished the time he spent talking each night at 9:00 p.m. with Marli. He also enjoyed spending time with his family and "meeting the guys" for coffee each weekend. He felt fortunate that he was able to stay active and was regularly going to the gym to swim and exercise. Intelligent, hard-working, passionate, sensitive, caring, giving and devoted are a few of the many words that could be used to describe him. Norm was a loyal friend to many and those whom were blessed to know him loved him dearly.

Norm is survived by his children; Eric N. Ziegler of Sioux Falls, SD, Julie A. Ziegler and her fiancé Mike Hinson of Clear Lake, MN, Jessica R. (Ziegler) Kleist and her husband Kyle of Menomonie, WI; grandchildren, Eric Willard (son of Eric Ziegler) and Sadie Ziegler (daughter of Julie Ziegler); loving companion, Marli Gangi of Cambridge, MN; brother-in-laws, Dale Gluth of New Ulm, MN and Gary Gill of Hillsboro, OR; two nieces, LeAnn (Pat) Rubey of New Ulm, MN (daughters Alissa Kretsch and Jenna Rubey), Sandra (Bruce) Jensen of Baxter, MN (sons Tyler and Travis Jensen); three nephews, Larry (Gailynn) Gluth of Atlanta, GA (son Conner Gluth), Michael (Anna) Ziegler of Rocky Mount, NC (daughter Sarah Ziegler), Jonathon Gill of Hillsboro, OR; step-children, Kelly (Gale) Cadwallader of Rancho Mirage, CA, Warren (Bev) Cadwallader of Scandia, MN, Kay (Mike) Hendricks of Alexandra, MN, Lee (Chris) Cadwallader of Anaheim Hills, CA, Josean Benson of Aberdeen, SD, Elise Tagg of Scandia, MN, Colleen (John) Keep of Wyoming, MN, Cliff (Toni) Cadwallader of Hudson, MN and many step grand/great grandchildren as well as many other relatives.

Preceded in death by his parents; Paul and Charlotte Ziegler, wife; JoAnne (Cadwallader) Ziegler, step-granddaughter; Jackie Littlefield, brother; Kenneth Ziegler, sisters; Patricia (Ziegler) Gill and Alice (Ziegler) Gluth, sister in law; Bonnie Ziegler, the mother of his children; Ruth (Nichols) Ziegler, nephew; David Ziegler (passed at birth) and his oldest son; Norman, Jr. (passed at birth).

A memorial service will take place at 11am on Saturday, March 4, 2017 at Woodbury Lutheran Church, 7380 Afton Road, Woodbury, MN. Visiting hour will begin at 10am.

As a tribute to our dad, please stay and enjoy dinner and dancing with us! Dinner catered by Keys Restaurant, Woodbury with music from Elite Signature DJ's to follow the memorial service 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm.

Before leaving this page, please take a moment to post your favorite memories of Norm to honor him.

Blessings,

Norm's Family