Delores J. Ziegler

Delores J. (Klem) Ziegler was born to Fred Klem and Ethel (Larson) Klem on March 31, 1932, in St. Paul, Minnesota. She passed away peacefully in her home of 63 years in Riverton, NE on December 1, 2025, at the age of 93.

Delores was the second of three children. With her older brother Kenny and younger brother Dick, they were raised in St. Paul, MN. After graduating high school, her parents moved to a farm near Hastings, MN; however, Delores stayed in St. Paul renting an apartment and working for the state of Minnesota. She moved employments to the 3M Company and then met and married her husband—Jay Ziegler. Together they spent over a year in St. Paul while having their firstborn, Scott, and then moved to Riverton in 1957 for Jay to take over the family farm. After their move, they were blessed with two more children, Susan and Sally. In 1962, they built the house one mile east of Riverton where they would build a home with countless memories and from which they would never move again.

Delores embraced her life in Riverton as housewife to Jay, a mother to her children, a grandmother, and a member of the church and community. She grew to love Riverton, the surrounding area, and the new people in her life. In the early years much of her focus was on faithfully raising her children while keeping home. She gardened and loved flowers, beautifying the lawn with roses, lilacs and other blooming plants. Outside of the home she was active with the American Legion Auxiliary, a 4H leader, a Sunday school teacher, served time on the Riverton School Board, and sang with the choir group Sweet Adelines.

Delores was a member of the Riverton Congregational (U.C.C.) Church until her death. She valued many of the friendships that sprung from church. She played piano regularly for the congregation for over 65 years, beginning in 1957 and accompanying the church for the last time in December 2024. She was a member of their choir that performed countless times over the years at churches, weddings, funerals, and various gatherings. In addition, she gave piano lessons over the years to 42 students whose ages spanned three generations.

Delores was a gifted artist. She made her house beautiful with many pieces she painted herself and items she quilted and crocheted. She used that gift to bless family and friends with many pieces over the years—ranging from paintings, to sketches, to simple letters/cards with her signature handwriting. Over the years, she painted a plate for every marriage in her family, and every birth of a grandchild and great-grandchild—completing the last two years ago. In addition, she crocheted a blanket for every new baby in the family.

Much of her enjoyment in life came from being Jay’s wife at home and accompanying him to the many activities around the community. For years, they began their day early walking around the gravel roads of Riverton. On certain days one might find them sitting together working on the weekly New York Times Crossword Puzzle. When life took them away from home, they loved being with friends engaging in softball, basketball, watching football or going out for dinner. Later in years, they spent a large portion of time traveling the area, even other states, to watch their grandkids in school activities and visit family.

In these last days, Delores most enjoyed being around family and friends. She was able to recall much from the past that enhanced the remembrance of many great memories for all who would listen. Those of us who remain, are exceedingly grateful for her life and recognize how much she was beloved.

Preceding her in death was: her husband, Jay Ziegler; her parents, Fred and Ethel Klem; her brother, Kenny; son-in-law, Charles Lorence; and grandson, Maury Lorence.

Left to mourn are her children: John Scott Ziegler; Susan Tucker and husband Mark Tucker; and Sally Lorence: grandchildren—Robert and Kelly Ziegler, Jennifer and Kasey Loschen, Jessica and Shannon Carraher, Mitchell and Katie Lorence, Mallory and A.J. Brant, and Max and Sydney Lorence: and 34 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be 10:30am Thursday, December 11, 2025 at Crossgate Community Church, Franklin, Nebraska with Pastor Jay Towell and the Ziegler family conducting the service. Burial will follow at Riverton Cemetery, Riverton, Nebraska. Memorials may be made to the Riverton UCC Church in c/o the family. Visitation with the family will be Wednesday, December 10 at Crossgate Church from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. Hutchins Funeral Home, Franklin, Nebraska assisted the Ziegler family with these arrangements.