Ronald "Ron" Jacob Ziegler

Ronald Jacob Ziegler, age 66, of Ogallala, Nebraska, passed away, Tuesday, February 2, 2021 at the UC Health Poudre Valley hospital in Ft. Collins, Colorado, surrounded by family. 

Ron was born July 1st, 1954 in North Platte, Nebraska to Clarence and Marie (Reigenborn) Ziegler. The family moved to Julesburg, Co. where he attended Julesburg grade school. He attended Ogallala High School and entered the United States Navy at the age of 17 in January 1972. He proudly served for 6 years during the Vietnam war. He was honorably discharged in January 1978. He then worked in the shipyards in California for 3 years. In 1982, he moved back to Ogallala where he met and married Shirley (Gordon) Ziegler on June 7, 1990. He openly accepted the role of stepdad to 7 children. In 1994 he joined the Union Pacific Railroad as a signal man and worked his way up to a foreman of a signal man crew. He happily retired in 2016. In his free time, he enjoyed fishing, camping, target shooting with his grandchildren, racing, and car shows visiting with friends. He was an avid gun and knife collector. He also enjoyed spending time in the garage rebuilding his classic cars. 

He is survived by his wife Shirley; a sister Peggy Reutzel, of Ovid CO; a brother Clarence (Debbie) Ziegler, of La Vista, NE; Uncle Herman (Fran), of Brighton, CO; numerous nephews, nieces and cousins; his stepchildren; Greg (Rosemary) Peters, of Roscoe, NE; Connie Stevens (Glenn Nichols), of Ft. Collins, CO; Rick (Tamatha) Gage, of Roscoe; Lisa (Michael) Carey, of Kearney, MO; David (Mandi) Gage, of Kearney, NE; Aimee (Roy) Lunkwitz, of Ogallala; Darin (Crystal) Gage, of  Williamsport, MD; grandsons; Randy (Jaime) Gage, Christopher Gage, Ryan Carey, Bailey Gage, Kenneth Carey, Jacob (Allyssa) Lunkwitz, Jeremy Peters, Andrew Gage, Zachary Lunkwitz, Jonathan McMillian-Peters, Mathew McMillian-Peters, Wyatt Yonker, A.J. McMillian-Peters and Jason Yonker; granddaughters; Jennifer (Domenic) Silvas, Kaylynne (Evan) Williams, Angel (Ryan) Westal, Amber (Matt) Contreras, Glenda Lindenmuth, Ashley (Devon) Daniels, Kathleen McMillian-Peters, Jolee Gage , Heidi Gage and Emilee Lunkwitz; and nineteen great-grandchildren. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, uncles, aunts and cousins. 

A Celebration of Life will be held from 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m., Friday, February 5, 2021 at the Quality Inn Banquet Room in Ogallala.

A private family interment will be held at a later date. 

In lieu of flowers a donation can be made in Ron’s memory to St. Paul’s Lutheran School. 

Draucker Funeral Home of Ogallala is assisting the Ziegler family with arrangements. 

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.