Leona Ziegler

Leona Ziegler, 85, Bismarck, passed away September 3, 2025, at St. Vincent’s Care Center surrounded by family. Burial will take place at a later date at Glencoe Cemetery.

Leona was born to Everett and Selvia Dutton in Bismarck, ND on July 4th, 1940. Leona attended a one-room schoolhouse 2-1/2 miles from the family farm and then attended Bismarck High School where she graduated with honors in 1958. She started her career working as a secretary at the State ASC Office and after worked for United Accounts.

She met her first husband, Albert Greff, as they were “dragging Main” in Bismarck. They were married in Bellevue, NE on March 5, 1962, and lived in Nebraska for 16 years where their two children were born, Richard and Diana. Leona and Albert returned to Bismarck, ND during the summer of 1978 and in 1980 were divorced.

Leona started working for the North Dakota Insurance Department and worked there for 23 years, retiring in 2005. During that time, she met Don Femling, and the two started dating. They married on July 13, 1985, at Trinity Lutheran Church. They remained together until Don’s passing in May of 1991.

Leona then met and later married Arnold Ziegler in the spring of 2000. They enjoyed dancing whenever they had the opportunity. Another pastime was RV camping at the Hart Ranch in the Black Hills of South Dakota.

Leona and Arnold had a shared love of animals. Leona loved all animals, especially dogs, which were always around on the farm. This eventually led to her having dogs throughout her life. The animals would bring her so much enjoyment with their antics, so much that she relayed the stories to family members and girlfriends at their monthly luncheons.

Leona was proud of her home ownership. She loved flowers and so her landscape was adorned with many beautiful flowers. Some of her mother’s flowers from the family farm were added into her beds.

Leona’s passion and creativity were reflected in her oil paintings that she portrayed throughout their home. She never professed to being an “professional artist” but enjoyed the pastime.

Leona is survived by her husband, Arnold Ziegler, a son Richard (Cheri) Greff, their children Alex (Jenna) Greff and Alyssa (Austin) Meuchel, a daughter Diana Greff and her son Bridger (Christine), great-grandchildren Ainsley, Dominic, Jonah, Aurora, and Gavin, and many nieces and nephews. She is survived by her sisters, Beverly Carman (Stevens Point, WI) and Nanette Bowman (Newport Beach, CA).

Leona is preceded in death by her brother Lloyd, another brother Everett Jr “Sonny” and his wife Gerry Dutton, her sister Joyce Anderson, her second husband, Don Femling, her parents Everett and Selvia, and grandparents Chester and Pearl Dutton and Thomas and Mary Homer.

She wanted to thank all her family and friends for the wonderful life and fun she had with everyone.

“Grant that we might treasure in our hearts the people you place in our lives, Lord, for they are You in disguise.” Amen.