Jerrold "Jerry" Ziegler

Jerrold “Jerry” Ziegler, 67, of Topeka, Kansas, passed away at home on August 6, 2025. Born January 19, 1958, in Topeka, Jerry was the son of Raymond and Mary Lou Artzer Ziegler. He was raised in the Oakland neighborhood on Emmet Street, surrounded by a large, loving family including many brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Jerry graduated from Hayden High School in 1976 before earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting, a Bachelor of Science in Art Education, and a teaching certificate from Washburn University. He furthered his education with a Master of Science in Secondary Education from Kansas State University (but wrote “Rock Chalk” on every tuition payment). Jerry dedicated 30 years to teaching art at Seaman Middle School, retiring in 2018 having impacted thousands of students in the classroom and as a coach on the football field. A talented artist known for his exceptional landscape paintings, Jerry was prone to stopping and staring at a sunset, a cloudy sky, or the horizon over the rolling hills. His paintings received several awards in the annual Mulvane Art Fair. Jerry had a deep passion for craftsmanship and the details of how things were made. He approached life with a perfectionist’s eye and took pride in doing things “the right way.” This, to the exasperation of his children, led to extra time at the grocery store. Picking “the right mustard” could take 15 minutes of reading ingredients and pondering the “benefits of stone ground” before making a selection. He was an avid Kansas basketball fan and was world class at asking the TV “What are they doing out there?” An athlete in his younger days, Jerry took to distance running later in his adult life and completed races in the Topeka area as well as many hours researching the best running shoes and gear. In addition to being a runner, he was a proud member of the REI and L.L. Bean mailing list. Jerry’s legacy lives on in the lessons and memories of his students, the canvas and ceramic creations that grace walls and tables in the homes of his family and friends, and the warmth of his smiles left imprinted in the minds of those he loved. He was preceded in death by his parents Raymond and Mary Lou Ziegler, and sister Jeanette Ziegler. Jerry is survived by his brothers, Greg Ziegler (Cathy), Kenny Ziegler (Alice), and his sisters, Marilyn Tucker (Doug), and Carolyn Beurman (Todd), and has 15 nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his children Alayna Ziegler, Scott Ziegler, and Nora Browne along with grandchildren, Arthur and Molly Browne. Jerry’s family will greet friends from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, August 15, 2025,where a memorial service will follow at 1 p.m. at Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Road, Topeka, Kansas, 66614. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Nora Browne with Seaman Middle School Art Program on the memo, and sent in care of the funeral home.

Jerrold "Jerry" Ziegler

January 19, 1958 - August 6, 2025