Betty Ann (Kaufman) Zeigler

Betty Ann Kaufman Ziegler, 82, made her journey home to be with the Lord on Sunday, October 12, 2014 after battling Alzheimer’s. Betty went peacefully at Heritage Estates in Gering, Nebraska. She was born to Albert Kaufman and Ann Kaufman (Weimer) in Fort Morgan, Colorado on June 3, 1932. Betty was a very caring and loving person who enjoyed spending time with her family. She was vibrant, full of life and a caregiver; it was in her nature to worry about others and events. She loved playing the piano, listening to country western music, baking pies and making homemade quilts to keep her friends and family warm. She impressed her children, as well as others, with her work ethic and dedication of achieving her goals. It was difficult to keep up with Betty; she was always moving 90 miles an hour taking care of everything and everyone. However, she would always slow down to give her family kisses and hugs.

Betty was raised on a farm in the Gering Valley where she helped her parents attend to the farm and livestock. She graduated from Gering High School and married Richard Bauer in 1949. Betty and Richard shared three children together, Karen, Rollie and Ronnie Bauer. Most of their married life was spent in the fields farming and feeding cattle. She also worked at Fred Lockwood Co during tax season. In 1975, Betty went to work full time in the office for Swift & Co and she met Lee Zeigler. Betty and Lee married in 1977. In Betty’s second marriage she had the opportunity to fulfill her dream of traveling. Together, Betty and Lee managed Stuckey’s stores in two states. After living in California for a period of time they moved to Tucson, Arizona, where they created their own business restoring homes. In 2008, Betty made Heritage Estates her home where she found joy in socializing with both the staff and other residents. Although she is no longer physically here with us on Earth, her love and memory will forever remain in our hearts.

She leaves her loving memories to be cherished by her sister Shirlee Kimsey (Roy) of Cupertino, CA, brother Jim Kaufman of Bethone, SC, sister Sharon Steadman (Dan) of Bristol, Rhode Island, son Rollie Bauer of Bayard, NE; granddaughters Jill Fye (Chris), Nicole Tessitore, Shelley Bauer; grandson Mason Bauer (Tandy); great grandchildren Brandon Tessitore, Casey Tessitore, Noah Bauer, Laurel Perry and Kaitlyn Fye; great-great grandchildren Braden Tessitore, Camryn Tessitore and many nieces and nephews.

She will be greeted in Heaven by her son Ronnie Bauer, her daughter Karen Bauer, her parents Albert and Ann Kaufman, infant brother Albert Kaufman Jr, brother Gary Kaufman and sister Peggy Kaufman.

Our family wishes to send a special thank you to the staff and caregivers of Heritage Estate. The love, comfort, kindness and support you gave Betty deserve an everlasting sense of gratitude and appreciation.

In lieu of flowers, please help battle Alzheimer’s by sending donations to John’s Hopkins University for Alzheimer’s Disease research in memory of Betty Ziegler.

The Johns Hopkins University

ATTN: Elaine Delman

Department of Pathology/Ross 558

720 Rutland Avenue

Baltimore, MD 21205

Celebration of Betty’s life will be held at the Dugan – Kramer Funeral Chapel, 3201 Ave B. Scottsbluff on Saturday, October 18, 2014 at 10:30 am. Immediately following there will be a graveside service at the West Lawn Cemetery in Gering. Our family invites everyone for fellowship and lunch at the Gering Civic Center following the graveside service. Tributes of sympathy may be left at www.dugankramer.com.