Mary Beth Ziegler was born on April 12, 1960 the youngest daughter of Albert M. and Verla M. (Lincoln) Sperry. She grew up in the area and graduated from Oelwein High School in 1978 and American Institute of Business in 1979. On December 12, 1979 Mary Beth was united in marriage to William Ziegler, Jr. in the Grace United Methodist Church in Oelwein. Bill enlisted into the United States Navy and for twenty-five years that was their life. They lived in California, Alabama and Baltimore, Maryland. In 2001 they purchased an acreage just outside of Clermont and after Bill’s Honorable Discharge in 2005 they moved back to Iowa where she began working for Upper Explorer Land and they began building their new home. This is where on January 2, 2011 Mary Beth passed away.
Mary Beth enjoyed and loved her family very much. She also enjoyed making afghans for her family and close friends, collecting pigs, mismatched socks and anything in the color "red". Mary Beth had a way about her that just brightened up a room when she walked in. She was a high spirited person who enjoyed life. She was strong right up to the end in her battle with her cancer. She leaves behind a loving family and so many great friends. They will all miss her dearly.
She is survived by her husband, Bill of Clermont, Iowa, her children, William “Bill” (Kelly) Ziegler, III of Glen Burnie, Maryland and Hattie (Andrew) Ring of Berkeley, California, a grandchild, Josie Ziegler, her mother, Verla Sperry of Oelwein, brother, Bruce (Susan) Sperry of Waterloo, two sisters, Peggy (Dennis) Schrader of Hazleton and Debbie (Shannon) Hershey of Brooklyn, Iowa, mother-in-law, Shirley Ziegler of Oelwein, sisters-in-law, Sharon (Jeff) Weeden of Novelty, Ohio and Marsha (Robin) Shepherd of Vieques, Puerto Rico. She was preceded in death by her father, Albert Sperry in 1992 and her father-in-law, William Ziegler, Sr. in 2010.
Family and friends may send donations, in leau of flowers, to the following organizations, or to the family which will donate the money to these organizations:
American Cancer Society – 800 227-2345
http://www.cancer.org/index
CaringBridge - http://www.caringbridge.org/donate
Heart of Iowa Hospice – 563-422-6267
http://www.caring.com/local/hospices-in-west-union-iowa/heart-of-iowa-hospice
Heart of Iowa Hospice
200 Jefferson Street
West Union, IA 52175
Attention: Heidi
Blood Center of Iowa
Blood Drives in Clermont and Oelwein (TBD) - http://www.bloodcenterofiowa.org/did_you_know/index.aspx
Visitation: will be from 4-7 PM on Wednesday, January 5 at the Clermont Funeral Chapel in Clermont, Iowa and on Thursday, January 6 from 10AM – 1 PM at the Grace United Methodist Church in Oelwein.
Funeral Services: will be held at 1:00 PM on Thursday, January 6 at Grace United Methodist Church in Oelwein with Rev. Darwin Moore and Rev. Tim Schoepf officiating.
