Thelma M. Ziegler was born in Hiawatha, May 29, 1930, one of three children born to Roy and Pearl Molt Moll and has lived all of her life in Northeast Kansas.  

She grew up on a farm near Robinson and attended Prairie Springs country school.  Before she married, Thelma work for Prieb’s Egg Plant in Hiawatha.  After her marriage, she worked at Hallmark, and babysat for many families in the area.

Thelma died Friday morning, October 28, 2016, at Maple Heights Nursing Home where she had been a resident about two years.

She and her husband enjoyed camping and traveling.  Thelma even though she was very hard of hearing, she always enjoyed carrying on a conversation, had a great personality, was fun to be around, a bit ornery at times, and very creative.  Thelma enjoyed her home, and although she did not drive…she did not let that stop her and walked where ever she wanted to go.

She married Elvin Ziegler, September 5, 1953, at Hiawatha.  They made Tonganoxie/Jefferson County area their home until his death July 1, 1981, when one of the caves he was working in at Atchison collapsed and killed him.  After his death, she moved to Hiawatha to make her home.  

Thelma was also preceded in death by her parents; and a brother Clarence Moll.

Survivors include nieces, nephews and cousins; her sister Emma Middendorf of Sabetha; a good friend to Thelma was the Toby Melster family of Hiawatha; Jim Hossfeld family of Holton.

Services are planned for 11 a.m. Wednesday, November 2, at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Hiawatha, with Shane Spangler officiating.  Interment will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Hiawatha.

Friends may call at the funeral home after 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. Tuesday. The family will meet with friends one hour prior to services.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Mt. Hope Cemetery which may be sent in care of the funeral home, 124 S 7th St., Hiawatha 66434.

A special message or remembrance may be sent to the family at www.chapeloaksfuneralhome.com