Laveda 'Veda' Fay Ziegler, 94

A beautiful life concluded peacefully on the morning of Aug. 27, 2026, with the passing of our wonderful mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother, Laveda Fay Ziegler.  

Veda, as she was most known, was born to Orval and Blanche (Higbee) Jordan on Dec. 7, 1931, at a maternity home in Kellogg, Idaho. She had two sisters who have both preceded her in death: her older sister, Betty Jean Jordan Fiorilla (2025), and her younger sister, Marjorie Carol Jordan Darrow (1958). 

Veda grew up in Latour Creek, Idaho, “up the holler” as she liked to say, where she spent her days along the banks of the Coeur d'Alene River with tons of her Higbee cousins. She met the love of her life early in life, Donald Clarence Ziegler, or Don, and they enjoyed 75 wonderful years of building and then enjoying the family they created together. 

She was primarily a homemaker and unconditionally loving wife to Don and mother to the four children they had quickly in five years: Doneda, Craig, Kristy and Gail. However, you would also find her working alongside Don in various jobs of her own, including at Montgomery Ward and in the property management of apartments and condos, which allowed them to travel all over the West.  

Veda and Don retired in 1994 and kicked off retirement with their dream trip — over 100 days and 13,000 miles round trip to Alaska. A favorite way for them to spend their free time was in their truck and RV, and it took them to Arizona as snowbirds for nine winters. They traveled to many places with their family and friends, including five cruises and a three-week trip to Europe, as well as trips to Puerto Rico and Venezuela, a 40th-anniversary gift from their children. Veda is known to have recorded their travels in several beautifully handwritten journals. Twenty-one summers post-retirement were spent at the family property up the North Fork of the Coeur d'Alene River on Beaver Creek known as Zigs Digs. Besides just being with her family, Veda enjoyed her time at "The Digs," hosting karaoke parties and singing up and down the Coeur d'Alene River at various local hangouts, including The Prichard Tavern and The Bedroom Goldmine. She even made a CD!  

Veda and Don moved to Orchard Ridge Assisted Living Facility in 2020. They celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary in September 2023 with a grand party and 70+ family and friends before Don preceded her in death in October of that year. She enjoyed a lively social life at Orchard Ridge, often being found at Bingo or Brain Fitness, and at her early-morning coffee clutch with her friends. You never knew what costume or prop she might show up with at any given time — even if there wasn’t an occasion! She was the Halloween costume contest winner four years running! She enjoyed giving the “old folks” a good shock! 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Orval and Blanche Jordan; older sister, Betty Fiorilla; younger sister, Marjorie Darrow; daughter, Kristy Diane Thode; grandson, Ryan Thode; and lifetime love, Donald Clarence Ziegler. She is survived by three children: Doneda Allen, Craig (Darlene) Ziegler, and Gail Wilson; and together with Don, leaves a beautiful legacy of nine grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and 18 great-great-grandchildren, all of whom greatly miss her, but are comforted by the reunification of Veda and Don for eternity. 

A special, heartfelt thank-you to The Garden at Orchard Ridge for taking such good care of Mom. She loved the staff and the many friends she made there. It was her “home!” In lieu of flowers, we are suggesting donations be made to Orchard Ridge Senior Living (www.theorchardcda.org).

Veda’s funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, at Yates Funeral Home — Hayden Chapel, 373 E. Hayden Ave., Hayden, ID. A viewing will be at 1 p.m. prior to the funeral, with a reception following the service. Please visit Veda’s online memorial and sign her guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.