Recorded Funeral Mass for Charles Ziegler https://youtu.be/iPu2K9oLm7w

Charles Fred Ziegler, 57, St. Cloud, MN, formerly of Harvey, passed away on January 18, 2025 of natural causes near Prescott, AZ.  Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, Harvey, ND.  Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12 at Hertz Funeral Home, Harvey.

Charles, the son of Conrad and Cecilia Ziegler, was born on November 13, 1967 in Harvey and grew up there.   Charlie, as most people referred to him, was raised in a family of seven children.  He was the youngest of three boys, with two older sisters and two younger sisters.  Charlie was the fifth member of the family.  Charlie attended school in Harvey, and he enjoyed all things associated with childhood.  He had many friends to share fun times.  He was a member of the Harvey Cub Scouts Pack 534.  During the summers, he would live on the family farm near Orrin, ND, helping with everyday chores and learning about the rural farm lifestyle.  While living on the farm, he formed a close relationship with his Grandma Ziegler and Uncle Casper.  He worked in the barn, corral, hay and crop fields and grazing pasture and worked often with cattle, hogs, horses, chickens and the farm dog.  Many hours were spent on the Ford 4N tractor with an attached thirty-foot hay rake.  Charlie was well liked by neighbors, whom Uncle Casper shared farm work.  His cousins would also help at the farm which lead to close bonds with them.

Charlie's passions were racing, riding snowmobiles and fishing.  He was a member of the ND Motocross Association.  He qualified in all three motocross racing events, 125 cc, 250 cc and 500 cc dirt bikes.  He raced numerous outdoor events, culminating in pro venue motocross racing at the Fargo Dome.  He received numerous trophies, division top rider awards and dominated the 250 cc class.  While enrolled at the ND State College of Science, in Automotive Technology, he started dirt bike racing in MN.  He stated that MN racing was a true test of your skills and abilities.  Charlie's dream was to qualify as a pro and run the national circuit.  He also raced street bikes in Brainerd, MN.  He raced on the weekends while his sisters watched from the stands.  While pursuing a racing career, Charlie worked in Harvey and the local area.  He worked in the food industry, to general labor and construction trades in ND, MT and WI.  After a lengthy period working construction, in 1994, Charlie accepted a job offer from Wiest Truckline in Jamestown, ND.  He acquired a commercial driver's license and started as a company driver.  In a short period of time, he purchased two Kenworth trucks and leased on as Ziegler Trucking.  In 2002, Charlie relocated to St. Cloud.

Charlie's decision to work in the trucking industry turned into a lifetime career that spanned 30 years.  Over the years, Charlie trucked the entire US accumulating more than 3 million miles.  He hauled non-perishable and perishable freight, including contracted mail for the USPS.  He worked for a number of trucking companies in MN and ND.

Charlie's life was an endless story and his accomplishments are confirmation.  He chose his destiny, the trucking lifestyle, which included endless miles, never ending deliveries, countless hours driving and a devotion to stay with and stay on it…the life of a professional truck driver.  It was a tough job, but he loved his work.  He put his heart into what he did for a living.

Charlie's life abruptly ended while trucking in Arizona.  He will be sadly missed by his family and friends.  We will forever remember your hearty laugh and sense of humor.  Charlie was always willing to give you, his advice.  He wanted to teach the younger generation some life lessons.  He always believed in doing things the right way and often went above and beyond regular basic tasks at work.  We will forever love you and hold you in our hearts.  May God Our Father bless you and forever hold you in his arms and keep you safe in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Charles is survived by his mother, Cecilia of Harvey, ND, sister Cindy DeVries (Brett) of Minot, ND, sister Carole Ziegler (Michael Rumph) of Sherman, TX, brothers Conrad and Curtis both of Harvey, ND, sister Carla Chaney (David Lewis) of Minot, ND, sister Chanda Ziegler (Jason Payne) of Las Vegas, NV, nephew Tyler Ziegler of Key West, FL, nephew Blake DeVries (Amanda), great nephew Owen DeVries and great niece Amara DeVries all of Fergus Falls, MN, niece Hannah Ziegler of Selz, ND, niece Sateera Rumph of Austin, TX, and a number of aunts, uncles and cousins.  Charles was proceeded in death by his father, Conrad in 2019, and his grandparents.