Robert "Bob" W. Ziebell

Robert “Bob” W. Ziebell, Sr., age 90, of Ripon, WI passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at Prairie Place in Ripon.

Bob was born on June 20, 1934 in Beaver Dam, WI, son of Wilhelm and Emma (Wolff) Ziebell. He graduated from high school in Markesan, WI in 1953. On February 20, 1954 Bob married Arlene Ruth Owen at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Royal Oak, MI. She passed away in 2013. In his early years Bob worked for the railroad, and he remained an avid collector of HO trains throughout his life. He also loved to just sit and watch a train go by. Bob was a very devoted and active member of Messiah Lutheran Church in Ripon, where he started working as a janitor in 1990 and cleaned the church into his 80’s; was a member of the Board of Elders for many years; and was active in the church choir. Bob also worked at Ripon Printers for about ten years. 

In his spare time Bob enjoyed singing in Barbershop Quartets for over 25 years, and in Ripon was proudly the baritone part in “Four Bits of Fun.” He was also a great bowler, and enjoyed bowling in various leagues throughout his life. Most of all he cherished his time with his McDonald’s coffee club friends, who, with his help, would solve all the world’s problems. 

Bob is survived by his children, Robert Ziebell, Jr. of Oakland Township, MI and Patricia (Mark) Bethke of Ripon, WI; 11 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren, who lovingly called him “Bucko”; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Wilhelm and Emma Ziebell; his wife, Arlene Ziebell; a son, Kenneth Ziebell; a grandson, Kenneth II; brothers, Harvey and Orrin Ziebell; sisters, Norma King, Delores Scharschmidt, Janet Schreier, and Marion Plato; and several brothers and sisters-in-law.

Visitation for Bob will be held from 9:30 am until 11:00 am on Saturday, February 1, 2025 at Messiah Lutheran Church, 500 Mayparty Dr., Ripon, WI 54971.

Memorial service for Bob will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, February 1, 2025 at Messiah Lutheran Church in Ripon, with Rev. Bryan Fritsch officiating. Inurnment will take place in Ripon at a later date. Memorials in his name may be directed to Messiah Lutheran Church, 500 Mayparty Dr., Ripon, WI 54971.