Sandra Jo Zeigler
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| Sandra Jo Zeigler |
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STERLING – Sandra Jo Zeigler, 73, passed away Friday, Aug. 17, 2012, at her home with her family present. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend to many, and will be deeply missed.
Born Dec. 1, 1938, she was the eldest daughter of Russell Henry and Dorothy Mae (Schumacher) Haberer. She grew up on the family farm just south of the old Jordan school, marrying her high school sweetheart, Mervin James “Jim” Zeigler Jr., on Aug. 23, 1959, at St. John Lutheran Church.
She graduated from Lutheran Hospital School for Nurses in Moline, and worked at DeKalb Public Hospital for several years. She was a full-time mother for 20 years, followed by another 20 years as a nurse at the Bi-County Special Education Cooperative, retiring in 2002. She loved living in the country home she and Jim built on a portion of her parents’ family farm in the Jordan Township community. Sandra was active in her church, singing in the church choir with Jim, participating in Christian Women’s Fellowship and serving as financial secretary. She was an avid gardener – canning and making applesauce and cider from their apple orchard. Sandra loved tending to her flower gardens and watching sunsets. She was an excellent cook and loved to bake and try new recipes. She enjoyed sewing, knitting, reading, visiting and celebrating life with her family.
Sandra is survived by her husband, Jim; one daughter, Kathleen Jo (Rick) Mitchem of Round Lake Beach; three sons, Gregory James (Dawn) Zeigler of Sterling, Eric Karl Zeigler of Chicago and Mark Leslie (Alissa) Zeigler of Polo; and eight grandchildren, Linnea, Hannah and Denzel Mitchem, Gabriel and Amy Zeigler, and Nicole, Rebekah and Gage Zeigler. Surviving family members also include two sisters, Carol R. (Gerald) Lindstrom of Machesney Park and Patricia A. (Stephen) Zalewski of Solvay, N.Y.; one brother, Michael J. (Hope) Haberer of Glen Ellyn; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m., followed by the memorial service at 11 a.m., Sept. 8 at First Christian Church in Sterling, with the Rev. David J. Yonker officiating. A private graveside service will be at Oak Knoll Cemetery in Sterling. Arrangements were completed by Schilling Funeral Home in Sterling.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests gifts to be made in her memory to First Christian Church, Serenity Hospice and Home in Oregon and the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.
