Obituary for Dorothy E. Ziegenfuss (Kreger)
Dorothy Evelyn Ziegenfuss of Painted Post, NY, was a beloved grandmother, mother, and wife during her incredible 96 years of life. She passed away peacefully on the morning of January 27th, 2022.
Dorothy had a long and full life. She was born on December 30, 1925 to William Wakefield Kreger and Pearl Clevenger Kreger in Markelton, PA. Her father was a farmer and her mother was a homemaker. Dorothy had four brothers, older brothers Harold, John, and younger brothers, Charles, and Orville. She also had a younger sister, Anna. Dorothy attended to a rural public school near Kingwood, PA. When Dorothy was 14 years old, her mother passed away. Dorothy had to quit school to help raise her 3 younger siblings. It was a tough job. Dorothy had to step in to her mother ‘s shoes. She learned to cook, bake bread, make butter, can, freeze, and dry food for winter.
Dorothy met Floyd Ziegenfuss in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware during the summer of 1958. They were married in 1962 at the Kingwood Church of God in Kingwood, PA . Floyd was a Staff Sergeant in the United States Air Force. He and Dorothy would be stationed in several locations, including Honolulu, Hawaii. In 1972, Floyd retired from the Air Force. He and Dorothy moved back to Kingwood, PA to be closer to family. In 1973, Floyd was hired by Ingersoll-Rand, Co and he moved the family to Painted Post, NY where they made their home and lived for 30 years.
One of Dorothy’s greatest accomplishments was going back to school and getting her GED. She learned to type and decided that she was ready to go back in to the working world. Since she enjoyed taking care of people, Dorothy got a job working for Home Health Care in Corning, NY. She enjoyed taking care people during their last days. Dorothy always added something special to her daily job duties. She treated her clients as if they were part of her extended family.
During her spare time, Dorothy enjoyed being a member of the Baptist church in Painted Post, NY. She loved to go to Sunday School and then to the church services. Dorothy volunteered to help prepare the meals that the church served. She loved spending countless hours in the church kitchen peeling potatoes, making pies, and baking turkeys.
When not working, or volunteering at the church, Dorothy always had a craft project in progress. She loved to sew, quilt, knit, and refinish antiques. Dorothy could look at a project and instantly know how to improve it. Many times, she would go to a craft fair and buy an item, only to bring it home and take it apart to see how she could make it better. Dorothy would make her crafts as gifts for holidays and birthdays.
Always the farmer’s daughter, Dorothy always had a yard full of gardens. Flowers surrounded her home. Tomatoes, onion, beans and other vegetables could be found in the backyard. Neighbors would always come over to her house to take pictures in front of her azalea bushes.
Dorothy was famous for her cooking and baking. Her pumpkin and apple pies were awesome. Dorothy’s secret ingredients or special tricks to making them so amazing will go with her to her grave. As we have not been able to completely replicate her recipes as flawless as she made them.
Dorothy, or “Nana”, as she was affectionately known by her grandchildren. She enjoyed caring for them. Whether it was watching a set of preemie triplets by herself, or caring for one sick child, Dorothy always was up for the challenge.
Dorothy is survived by her daughter, Paula Whaley, and her son-in-law, Ted Whaley. She leaves behind her four grandchildren: Lauren, Hannah, Ryan and Michael and her nephew Johnnie Kreger and his daughter Betsey and son William. She is also survived by her brothers John, Charles, and Orville Kreger and their families. Dorothy also leaves many other family members, and dear friends who will sadly miss her.
We will miss Nana dearly, but we are so grateful for the time we had to spend with her. We will always feel her presence when we see a flower, a roadside garden or even a freshly baked pumpkin pie. Family and friends are invited to attend a grave site service at the Bath National Cemetery in Bath, NY on Thursday, February 10, 2022 at 11:00 am EST. Phillips Funeral Home has been entrusted with her arrangements.
We have asked Dorothy’s family friend, Reverend Gary McCaslin to preside over the services.
In lieu of flowers, if you wish to make a donation in honor of Dorothy, please consider donating to:
First Baptist Church, 130 W. Water Street, Painted Post, NY 14870, 607-962-1736.
Dorothy had a long and full life. She was born on December 30, 1925 to William Wakefield Kreger and Pearl Clevenger Kreger in Markelton, PA. Her father was a farmer and her mother was a homemaker. Dorothy had four brothers, older brothers Harold, John, and younger brothers, Charles, and Orville. She also had a younger sister, Anna. Dorothy attended to a rural public school near Kingwood, PA. When Dorothy was 14 years old, her mother passed away. Dorothy had to quit school to help raise her 3 younger siblings. It was a tough job. Dorothy had to step in to her mother ‘s shoes. She learned to cook, bake bread, make butter, can, freeze, and dry food for winter.
Dorothy met Floyd Ziegenfuss in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware during the summer of 1958. They were married in 1962 at the Kingwood Church of God in Kingwood, PA . Floyd was a Staff Sergeant in the United States Air Force. He and Dorothy would be stationed in several locations, including Honolulu, Hawaii. In 1972, Floyd retired from the Air Force. He and Dorothy moved back to Kingwood, PA to be closer to family. In 1973, Floyd was hired by Ingersoll-Rand, Co and he moved the family to Painted Post, NY where they made their home and lived for 30 years.
One of Dorothy’s greatest accomplishments was going back to school and getting her GED. She learned to type and decided that she was ready to go back in to the working world. Since she enjoyed taking care of people, Dorothy got a job working for Home Health Care in Corning, NY. She enjoyed taking care people during their last days. Dorothy always added something special to her daily job duties. She treated her clients as if they were part of her extended family.
During her spare time, Dorothy enjoyed being a member of the Baptist church in Painted Post, NY. She loved to go to Sunday School and then to the church services. Dorothy volunteered to help prepare the meals that the church served. She loved spending countless hours in the church kitchen peeling potatoes, making pies, and baking turkeys.
When not working, or volunteering at the church, Dorothy always had a craft project in progress. She loved to sew, quilt, knit, and refinish antiques. Dorothy could look at a project and instantly know how to improve it. Many times, she would go to a craft fair and buy an item, only to bring it home and take it apart to see how she could make it better. Dorothy would make her crafts as gifts for holidays and birthdays.
Always the farmer’s daughter, Dorothy always had a yard full of gardens. Flowers surrounded her home. Tomatoes, onion, beans and other vegetables could be found in the backyard. Neighbors would always come over to her house to take pictures in front of her azalea bushes.
Dorothy was famous for her cooking and baking. Her pumpkin and apple pies were awesome. Dorothy’s secret ingredients or special tricks to making them so amazing will go with her to her grave. As we have not been able to completely replicate her recipes as flawless as she made them.
Dorothy, or “Nana”, as she was affectionately known by her grandchildren. She enjoyed caring for them. Whether it was watching a set of preemie triplets by herself, or caring for one sick child, Dorothy always was up for the challenge.
Dorothy is survived by her daughter, Paula Whaley, and her son-in-law, Ted Whaley. She leaves behind her four grandchildren: Lauren, Hannah, Ryan and Michael and her nephew Johnnie Kreger and his daughter Betsey and son William. She is also survived by her brothers John, Charles, and Orville Kreger and their families. Dorothy also leaves many other family members, and dear friends who will sadly miss her.
We will miss Nana dearly, but we are so grateful for the time we had to spend with her. We will always feel her presence when we see a flower, a roadside garden or even a freshly baked pumpkin pie. Family and friends are invited to attend a grave site service at the Bath National Cemetery in Bath, NY on Thursday, February 10, 2022 at 11:00 am EST. Phillips Funeral Home has been entrusted with her arrangements.
We have asked Dorothy’s family friend, Reverend Gary McCaslin to preside over the services.
In lieu of flowers, if you wish to make a donation in honor of Dorothy, please consider donating to:
First Baptist Church, 130 W. Water Street, Painted Post, NY 14870, 607-962-1736.