Doris Marie (Raether) Ziegler

Doris Marie Ziegler, 94, of Strawberry Point, formerly of Fairbank, passed away on Good Friday, March 29, 2024, at the Strawberry Point Lutheran Home in Strawberry Point, surrounded by her family.  She was born on March 1, 1930, in Fort Dodge, Iowa.  Doris was adopted soon after at the Lutheran Children’s Home in Fort Dodge by her parents, Theodore E. and Elda M. (Grose) Raether. Doris was baptized into the Lutheran faith on March 23, 1930. Doris was raised on a farm in rural Westgate and educated at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church Parochial School in Westgate through the eighth grade and was confirmed in 1943.  She attended and graduated from the Maynard Consolidated School District with the class of 1947.

After high school, Doris moved to Waterloo and worked at Allen Hospital and then Rath Packing as a secretary for a few years.  She then moved back home and worked for Epperson Construction Company in Sumner until her marriage.

On December 10, 1955, Doris was united in marriage to Harold William Ziegler at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Westgate. Four children were born to this union. Together they farmed in rural Westgate until moving to their farm near Fairbank in 1964.  They retired from farming in 2005.

Doris always had several large gardens and canned and preserved all that they provided every year.  Baking homemade bread, cinnamon rolls, cookies, and pies were just a few of her weekly treats she provided for her family, farm hands, and friends, that would come in for dinner.  She also was an excellent seamstress, making many garments for herself and her family.  In later years, she began her love of quilting.  She made many hand quilted and embroidered quilts for her family.  Doris also enjoyed raising tulips, bachelor buttons, peonies, and irises.  Birdwatching, especially cardinals and finches, was a favorite pastime in later years.

She was a longtime and faithful member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Oran.  Over the years, she was involved with Ladies Aid, helping with countless church dinners and funerals. Doris, along with other church ladies, started a hand quilting group at church, and with their beautiful work were able to raise money for church projects over the years.

Following the death of her husband Harold, Doris made the Gernand Retirement Village in Strawberry Point her permanent home. Living there for almost fourteen years, she made many friends.

Doris was a woman of few words but her faith in God was strong and true.  She and her husband Harold believed in going to church every Sunday, making sure that their children were immersed in God’s word and love. We were blessed to have her for 94 years.

Doris is survived by her four children, Robert (Kelly) Ziegler of East Peoria, Illinois, James Ziegler of Palmer, Alaska, Diane (Glenn) Haupt of Delta, Colorado, and Deborah (Karl) Ommen of Strawberry Point; seven grandchildren, Evan (Stephanie) Haupt, John Ziegler, Eric (Rebecca) Ziegler, Alicia Ziegler, Hannah Haupt, Kristen (Brad) Kenyon, and Aaron Haupt; twelve great-grandchildren; a sister, Judy (Joe) Vislisel of Robins; and several nieces and nephews.

Doris was preceded in death by her parents, Theodore and Elda Raether; her husband, Harold in 2011; brothers, Charles Raether and Carroll (Ethel) Doyle; and her sister, Joan (Darryl) Stensland.

The family would like to thank the Strawberry Point Lutheran Home staff, as well as St. Croix Hospice, for all the loving care that you gave to our mom over the past month.  You made her last days on earth comfortable and dignified.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Strawberry Point Lutheran Home or St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Oran.

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