Thomas Ziegler, loving father and grandfather passed away on Feb.1, 2013 at St. Peter’s Hospital in Helena Montana. He was born on June 1, 1927 in Napoleon, ND. Though raised in a small town, he had many happy memories of his time spent on his grandpa Schumacher’s farm north of town. At the age of 17 he joined the Merchant Marines. VJ day occurred while his convoy was two days out of Liverpool England. On the voyage home, his ship returned many veterans of the fighting in Europe. Soon after his one convoy, he left the Merchant Marines and returned to Napoleon to finish high school. He then joined the Navy and served for four years as an electrician. He sailed on the cruiser USS Fargo (CL-106) to many ports on the Mediterranean Sea. He later served on the US Wheatear (AM-390), a mine sweeper based at Charleston South Carolina. He settled for a while in Charleston, SC and on Nov. 21, 1951, he married Rosemary Schneider. They eventually had four children. Tom and Rosemary moved their family back north, and he began working for Montana Dakota Utility Company. He brought his family to Sidney, MT in 1957 where he helped start up the electrical generating plant on the Yellowstone river south of town. He and Rosemary remained there until 2001, when they moved to Helena, MT. Tom enjoyed gardening (his passion), painting, “tinkering,” old westerns, do it yourself projects, and baking, especially with Alyssa. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family, particularly his grandchildren. Tom often invited some or all of his family over for Sunday dinner, which was the setting for so many warm and wonderful memories. He was a good man with a wicked sense of humor and a positive outlook on life. Tom was also a man of deep faith and was very active in his Sidney, MT parish of St. Matthew. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Felix and Eva (Schumacher) Ziegler, his wife, Rosemary (Schneider) Ziegler, and brothers Joe, Tony, Frank and Ben. He is survived by his sister, Barbara Klein of Bismarck, ND; children Judy of Helena; Michael (Jane Lee) of Clancy, MT; Patrick (Chong Kwak) of Federal Way, WA; Anthony (Kelley) of Jacksonville, FL; grandchildren Paul Schmidt, Alyssa, Nathan, Brandon, Jeramy, Allyson, and Nicholas Ziegler He was tickled to become a great-grandfather when Jude Ziegler was born this past year. He also has numerous nieces and nephews. The family wishes to extend a very special “thank you” to the nurses and doctors of St. Peter’s Dialysis Unit. Thank you for making it possible for us to have the past 12 years with Tom. Donations in Tom’s name can be made to the St. Peter’s Dialysis Unit, any food bank charity or a charity of your choice.
A Vigil Service is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 5, 2013 at Retz Funeral Home Chapel with a small reception to follow the Vigil at Retz Funeral Home. A Mass is set for 12:10 p.m. Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at St. Mary’s Catholic Community Church. Burial with Military Honors will follow the Mass at Resurrection Cemetery. To offer a condolence or share a memory of Thomas, please visit below.
Service Schedule
Vigil
5:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday February 5, 2013
Retz Funeral Home Chapel
315 E 6th Ave.
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
6:00 p.m.
Tuesday February 5, 2013
Retz Funeral Home
315 E 6th Ave.
Helena, Montana 59601
Mass of Christian Burial
12:10 p.m. to 1:10 p.m.
Wednesday February 6, 2013
St. Mary's Catholic Community Church
1700 Missoulia Ave.
Helena, Montana 59601
Interment
1:30 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.
Wednesday February 6, 2013
Resurrection Cemetery
3700 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Vigil
5:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday February 5, 2013
Retz Funeral Home Chapel
315 E 6th Ave.
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
6:00 p.m.
Tuesday February 5, 2013
Retz Funeral Home
315 E 6th Ave.
Helena, Montana 59601
Mass of Christian Burial
12:10 p.m. to 1:10 p.m.
Wednesday February 6, 2013
St. Mary's Catholic Community Church
1700 Missoulia Ave.
Helena, Montana 59601
Interment
1:30 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.
Wednesday February 6, 2013
Resurrection Cemetery
3700 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Tom Schneider says
My condolences to my niece and nephews on Toms’ passing. Tom was a great brother in law and friend.
The Mel White Family says
Mike and Jane and family–Sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing, Mike–It was an honor to have met him and to see what wonderful roots that have made you into the caring man you are. He was so in love with those Grand kids–He just oozed love for them! A gentleman in every sense of the word too! Thinking of you all! Wanda, Mel and Ian
Margy Kernan says
Your family is so blessed and fortunate to have had your Dad, your Grandpa. From everything I’ve heard, he was remarkable in goodness, kindness, salt of the earthiness, and wit. His love, warmth and caring will continue to bless your lives. Peace and prayers for all of you ~. Margy
George & Sandy Gasper says
Our thoughts and prayers go to Tom’s family. I know he will be missed. I worked with him for many years at MDU and he is well remembered by those of us who had the privilage of working with him. He is also remembered as a good neighbor who always had time to let our sons “help” him work in his garden.
Tami and Sharon Maltese says
Tom will definitely be missed. He was a great family man, friend, and neighbor. He and Rosemary are now together in heaven. We wish we could have attended the funeral with the family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Patti Jaskot Tornabeni says
My thoughts and prayers go out to Tom’s family. He was a great man with deep faith and love for his family, friends and neighbors. Take comfort in knowing he is with your Mom now, and that he has truly earned his reward in heaven.
Randy Berndt says
I had the honor and privilege of working with Tom for many years at the power plant in Sidney. He was a great mentor and friend. We car-pooled to work for a while, and I can still remember he had to always put his cat in the house before he got in my vehicle.
When our kids were younger, we always went to Tom and Rosemary’s on Halloween where they had a special treat for the kids.. Tom and I also had a little “treat” together before we ventured out in thd cold to collect more goodies for the kids.
He will be missed by many. May you rest in peace, Tom.
Randy Berndt
Anthony Robert (Felix) Ziegler says
Dear Dad.
I love you Pops.
You made me the person I am today. The jury is still out if that is a good thing.
I hope you are as proud of me as I have always and will be proud of you.
Give Mom a kiss from Judy, Mike, Pat and me.
Till I can hold you in my arms again.
Forever your son,
Love
Anthony.
Bernard Adams says
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you in the Ziegler family. The Zieglers were part of my memories of growing up in Sidney. It seems so long ago yet somedays only yesterday.
Mike Mitzel says
Tom and I go back to 1934 when we both were enrolled in Napoleon elementary school and in 1947 when we both graduated from NHS.
We served as Altar Boys for a few of our youthful years at St. Phillip’s Of Neri.
After high achool Tom, Felix Schneider and I went to the Bismarck Post Office to meet with the U.S.Navy recuiters there. The three of us enlisted the same day (04-01-’48). I well knew
all of Tom’s siblings and his parents. The Ziegler home was blessed with fine people.