Fifth Generation

47. Claire Raymond ZIEGLER was born on 16 January 1920 in Sparta, Sparta Township, Monroe County, WI.^18,57 He died on 12 January 2014 at the age of 93 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.⁵⁷

Obituary Notes: "Claire R. Ziegler, 93, of Tomah, passed away Jan. 12, 2014, at the VA Medical Center in Tomah. He was born in Sparta, Jan. 16, 1920, to Dora (Johnson) and Charles E. Ziegler.

He was joined in marriage with Mary Drinkwine Isensee Dec. 15, 1945. Having spent a year in California, they returned to Tomah, where they had earlier bought a farm. Claire served his country in World War II in the Air Force from 1941 to 1945. He was an aerial engineer and gunner in the 8th Air Force. He exited the Air Force as staff sergeant. His travels and battles covered Germany, England, and France. He was a Purple Heart recipient and took the Freedom Honor Flight to Washington D.C., in June of 2010.

He was self-employed in the farm implement business for nearly 60 years. He and his beloved wife of 56 years, were the proud parents of six children. He enjoyed his work and conversing with his customers, his children and grandchildren, reading, trout fishing, deer hunting and his newspapers.

He is survived by his children, Dennis Isensee of Warrens, Donna Garrison of Waukegan, Ill., Danette (Richard) Zidich of Sparta, Steven (Betty) Ziegler of Tomah, Patricia (Michael) Brown of La Crosse, Karen Elsing of Tomah; sister, Vera Siekert of Sparta; brother, Loren (Florence) of Eau Claire; and sisters-in-law, Alice Ziegler of Sparta, and Maleda Drinkwine Svacina of Tomah. He was the proud grandfather of 20 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; and 7 great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary in October 2002; parents; and brothers, Clayton, Leonard, Harold, Charles; and sisters, Bergetta Arttus, Mable Brohmer, and Verna Chambers; and sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Margaret Westfall, Norma Erb, Elvera Ziegler, Roy Arttus, Tony Brohmer, Harold Siekert, Otis Chambers, Leo Drinkwine, and Sam Erb.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. today, Jan. 16, 2014, at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah. Pastor Lisa Isensee will officiate. Burial with full military honors by VFW Post #1382 will be held in the Oak Grove Cemetery."

Claire Raymond ZIEGLER and Mary Lorraine DRINKWINE were married on 15 December 1945.^57,58 Mary Lorraine DRINKWINE was born on 26 July 1822 in Sparta, Sparta Township, Monroe County, WI.² She died on 27 October 2002 at the age of 180 in Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.²

Claire Raymond ZIEGLER and Mary Lorraine DRINKWINE had the following children:

+77	i.	Steven ZIEGLER.
78	ii.	Dennis ZIEGLER was born (date unknown).
79	iii.	Donna ZIEGLER was born (date unknown).
80	iv.	Dannette ZIEGLER was born (date unknown).
81	v.	Patricia ZIEGLER was born (date unknown).
82	vi.	Karen ZIEGLER was born (date unknown).