Emil Ziegler was born June 18, 1937, in Hesketh, AB, on the family farm, the third son of Alfred and Lydia Ziegler. At the age of nine, the family moved from Hesketh to Grainger, AB. He worked with his father farming and doing carpentry work in the area. In 1958, he met Yvonne Tschritter who lived in the Nightinggale area. They were married on April 11, 1963, at the Levelland Seventh-day Adventist Church near Beiseker, AB. They moved to the farm just east of Grainger, where they built the house and numerous shops and smaller buildings. He used the skills he developed working in carpentry for his father to build the farm by hand. Emil also worked in construction, helping to make the 575 highway in 1964, the same year he and Yvonne welcomed their first daughter, Roxann, in September. To make a living once he was finished working on the road, they had two milk cows and sold the cream, gradually adding more livestock to the farm, including turkeys and up to 6 milk cows. Roxann was soon joined by Laurie in the spring of 1966, and Jerry several years later in the fall of 1973. Emil farmed with his son, Jerry, from 1993 until 2026. He loved his kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids coming to visit. He was an avid gardener and grew lilies and dahlias, and enjoyed painting landscapes and fishing. He always wanted to stay on the farm as long as possible.

He is survived by his wife, Yvonne, their three kids, Roxann (John) Short, Laurie (Gerrit) Beekman, and Jerry (Desiree) Ziegler; his five grandkids; and nine great-grandkids. He is predeceased by his mother and father, his brother Paul, and his sister-in-law, Nella. Emil passed away on Saturday, May 02, 2026, in Three Hills, AB, surrounded by his family. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, May 7, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Emmanuel Baptist Church, with a Graveside Service at Swalwell Cemetery. A Reception will be held at the Swalwell Community Hall.

If family and friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to the charity of the donor’s choice.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Emil's family here.