Darwin Eugene Ziegler, 67

Published 10:39 am Thursday, October 13, 2016

Darwin Eugene Ziegler, 67

Darwin Eugene Ziegler, 67, of Wahkon, Minnesota, formerly of the Lyle/Austin area, died Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016, at his home.

Darwin was born Aug. 8, 1949, at Mitchell County Hospital in Osage, Iowa, to Donald and Dona Ziegler of Stacyville, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed at Union Presbyterian Church in rural Stacyville. After his 1967 graduation from Lyle High School, Darwin served his country for four years in the U.S. Navy. He married Kaye Ator and the couple had two children. They later divorced. Darwin made his living as a Quality Control Engineer for Owatonna Tool Company until his retirement. After retirement, he operated a consulting business and delivered motor homes throughout the U.S. for Winnebago. After making a delivery to Washington state, Darwin was involved in a charter bus accident. He suffered injuries which caused his health to deteriorate over the years. In September of this year, Darwin attended his 50th class reunion at Lyle High School.

Survivors include his mother Dona Ziegler of Lyle, Minnesota; his son, Trent (Louise) Ziegler of Sauk Rapids, Minnesota; his daughter, Mary (Jim) Poppen of Hampton, Minnesota; his brother Gary (Cindy) Ziegler of Lyle; five grandchildren, Haley, Madeline, Avery, Ryan and Dylan; and his ex-wife, Kaye Ziegler.

Darwin was preceded in death by his father, Donald Ziegler; his grandparents, Alice and George Snowbeck and John and Marjorie Johannsen; his great-grandfather, George Ziegler; his brother, Randy; and his sister, Gail.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016, at Westminster Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Michael Olmsted officiating. Friends may call from 1 to 2 p.m. at the church, immediately preceding the service. Interment will be in Union Presbyterian Cemetery, Stacyville, Iowans, with military honors by Lyle American Legion Post 105. The family prefers that memorials be directed to the Union Presbyterian Cemetery Association or recipient of donor’s choice. Worlein Funeral Home of Austin is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.