Dorothy Ziegler 1962-2021

Dorothy Ziegler 1962-2021

Dorothy Arleen “Scootie” “Wiche Quah” Kiyukan Ziegler, 58, Mayetta, died Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021, at her home after a battle with liver cancer.

She was born Nov. 17, 1962, in Chicago, Ill., the daughter of Julia Lewis. She graduated from Marty Indian School and later graduated from University of South Dakota with a master’s degree in psychology. She had lived in Kansas, Oklahoma, Indiana and South Dakota.

Mrs. Ziegler was an educator who was named the National Indian Educator, the South Dakota Indian Educator of the year, and in 1994, the governor of South Dakota proclaimed Oct. 28 as “Dorothy Kiyukan Day” in South Dakota. She also was a certified school specialist and a gaming commissioner at Prairie Band Casino and Resort.

She received a Dakota Wesleyan Alumni of the year award and the University of South Dakota Native American Alumni award. She was a member of the South Dakota Counseling Association, the Indian Counseling Association, a NA Cultural Coordinator and a therapeutic intervention specialist. She also was a member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation and Potawatomi United Methodist Church.

She married Martin “Tom” Ziegler on March 8, 2020, in Mayetta. He survives.

Other survivors include her mother, Julia Lewis, Mayetta; two daughters, Julia E. Kiyukan and Atana Bernie-Blue, both of Pierre, S.D.; a son, Lawrence L. Kiyukan, Jr. and wife Charlotte, Lake Andes, S.D.; a niece she raised, Marissa Bridegroom, Topeka; 11 adopted children; her adopted mother, Shirley Bernie, Pierre, S.D.; a sister, Doris Cochran, Topeka; twin sisters; numerous hunka sisters; numerous hunka brothers; seven grandchildren; many adopted grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her adopted father, Francis Bernie; a sister, MaLita Bernie; and two bothers, Raymond and Bobby Bridegroom.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 10 at Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Mrs. Ziegler will lie in state until 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9. Burial will be held in South Dakota.

Cards of condolence may be sent to Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436.

The Holton Recorder

109 W. Fourth St.
Holton, KS 66436
Phone: 785-364-3141
 

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