Ruby Katherine Ziegler

Ruby Katherine (Nice) Ziegler, 98, passed away peacefully in Denbigh on January 21, 2024. Ruby will be remembered for her tirelessness, her compassion for others, and her unwavering love for her family. Ruby glowed when she spoke of her time growing up in Denbigh and was a lifelong member of the Warwick River Mennonite Church.

Ruby's strong work ethic and diligence were fueled by her overwhelming love for those around her. Ruby has always put her family above all else, even as a young woman she supported her family by saving her wages from Colony Farms Dairy to gift her mother a brand new stove. When Ruby and her late husband, Kenneth "Kenny" Ziegler, first founded Ziegler Plumbing and Sewer, Inc., she handled all of the bookkeeping and would call Kenny on a two-way radio in her kitchen to dispatch plumbing jobs and to let him know when lunch was ready. Throughout her life, she enjoyed delivering hot homemade chicken noodle soup and pound cake (with a rather large side of chit chat) to friends and acquaintances alike. The family estimates that Ruby cooked thousands of pound cakes for others throughout the course of her life.

Ruby meticulously maintained a beautiful home that was always warm and inviting. Ruby had a sharp wit and loved to laugh, making it easy to spend hours at her kitchen counter while chatting and drinking coffee. It was impossible to leave her house empty-handed, and visitors usually found themselves juggling a jar of homemade jelly and a cold Pepsi on their way out. Ruby's children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren grew up enjoying Sunday dinners around her extra-long dining room table, knowing through the meals she prepared and the cheeks she pinched, she deeply and unconditionally loved them.

At this time, the family is finding great comfort in knowing that Ruby is finally reunited in Heaven with her beloved husband, Kenny.

Together, Ruby and Kenny were extremely proud of their loving family, children Susan "Susie" Ziegler (deceased), Stephen Ziegler (Lisa), Ronald Ziegler, Katherine "Kathy" Barrow (David) and Theresa Siebels (Richard); grandchildren, Katherine Stover (Brandon), Jessica Lasris (David), Joseph "Clark" Siebels (Laura), Aubrey Siebels (Louis Murray), Will Siebels; and great-grandchildren, Caden, Carmen "Lucy", Jordan, Jaxon, and Flora. There are also many nieces and nephews who were dear and near to Ruby. She is also survived by siblings, George Nice (Brenda), Daniel Nice (Alice), and Bertha Schaefer (Bill); and sisters-in-law, Judy Nice and Pauline Nice. Ruby is now rejoicing in heaven with her parents, Henry and Lulu Nice; siblings Lulu "Lou" Heatwole (MJ), Louis Nice (Lois), Dorothy Blosser (Glendon), Henry Nice, and Cecil Nice; and granddaughter Pamela Saunders. 

We welcome everyone to the visitation at W. J. Smith and Son Funeral Home, 210 Harpersville Rd., Newport News, VA 23601, from 6-7 PM on Friday, January 26, 2024, and to celebrate her life at Huntington Mennonite Church, 785 Harpersville Rd., Newport News VA, 23601, at 2 PM, Saturday, January 27, 2024, following a private burial.

The family wants to thank friends, family, and the community for their support during this time. The family also thanks Mennowood Retirement Community for the care they provided Ruby over the past year.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Warwick River Mennonite Church or Warwick River Christian Learning Center.

Please leave condolences at www.wjsmithandson.com.