Keitha Joann Ziegler

Keitha was born on September 6, 1936, in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, to Manual and Millie (Fisher) Wolfe. She was the second of seven children. She grew up and attended school in Scottsbluff. She married Virgil D. Ziegler on June 8, 1958. They made their home in Mitchell on a farm south of town in the house that they built. She traveled overseas with Virgil while he was stationed in Germany between 1959 and 1961.

She worked various jobs including working as a car hop at the Arrowhead drive in. She was a skillful bowler and bowled on several leagues between 1961 and the mid 1980’s. She held many records including high game, series, and average at leagues in Mitchell, Scottsbluff and Gering.

Keitha had always known she wanted to be a mother. Complications arose and it was never known if she could. But after 15 years of marriage she found out she was finally pregnant! Friends and family were overjoyed. In 1973 she would give birth to her daughter Jennifer, followed 2 years later by her son Chris. She devoted herself to her family, deciding to be a stay home mother.

She returned to work in 1981 at the Mitchell school cafeteria as the baker and worked there until her kids graduated from school and her first grandchild, Stephanie, was born. She would make tea rolls and cinnamon rolls which were school favorites. Cooking and baking were a passion for Keitha at school and home. She loved to make and enjoy delicious food with her family and would experiment with new recipes frequently.

She dedicated her life to her family that she loved with everything she had. She helped care for and raise three of her grandchildren, Stephanie, Nathan and Katie, which brought her deep joy and fulfillment. She always supported them and never missed attending their activities.

She loved to be in the garden. Each year a large garden would grow brimming with fresh food. Tending to her garden was a labor of love and she often could be found caring for it wearing her wide-brimmed straw hat. She was known for growing German blackberries which she picked and sold.

Keitha was no stranger to appreciating life’s hidden beauties. She delighted in watching and feeding the countless flocks of birds who would come to know her home as THE spot to be. She loved to play solitaire and was a constant reader who would stay up late into the night to finish a good book. She would never pass a garage sale and was a local at the community thrift stores. She was a proud Husker fan and loved to watch football year-round.

In 2018, she moved to Scottsbluff to be closer to her daughter and moved in with her in 2021. She was cared for by Jennifer, Doug, Steph, Nathan and Katie for the remainder of her life. While living with her daughter, she loved caring for “her” squirrels and birds which were well looked after, loving on her cat Sugar, watching football and working her puzzle books. During the last years of her life, her family did its best to return to Keitha the endless love and devotion that she generously gave to them.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, sisters Carol (Marv) Ziegler, Glenda (Francis) Ockinga, and Fern (Jack) Imus, brothers Gordon Wolfe and Allen Wolfe.

Survivors include her daughter, Jennifer (Doug) Hoevet of Scottsbluff; son, Chris (Amanda) Ziegler of Mitchell; her grandchildren, Stephanie, Nathan (Mariah), Katie, Hunter and Addison; great grandchildren Dahlia and Ophelia; sister, Val (Pat) Hinman of York and sister-in-law Patty (Ted) Brown of Scottsbluff.

At Keitha’s request, cremation has been arranged through Dugan-Kramer Funeral Chapel. The family is planning A Celebration of Life Service at later date. Please visit www.DuganKramer.com to leave condolences and share photo memories.