Recognizing Ziggy and Stella Ziegler of Billings

Floor Speech

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Mr. GIANFORTE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Ziggy and Stella Ziegler of Billings for their decades of selflessly helping people find a second chance in life. For more than 40 years, Ziggy and Stella owned and operated Stella's Kitchen and Bakery in Billings. Their establishment created a downtown buzz where every weekend you can find a line out the door of people waiting to eat a delicious breakfast. Their restaurant won a 2018 Billings Gazette Readers' Choice for Best Breakfast and Best Bakery. Recently retired, Ziggy and Stella were honored with this year's Billings Chamber Legacy Award for their dedication to the city. While their business success is well documented, it's the Zieglers' work in their community that sets them apart. In 1973, when Ziggy was young, his father was murdered. Instead of reacting in anger, Ziggy used that tragedy to fuel his passion for serving others. He dedicated his life to helping prisoners find fruitful, meaningful lives during and after incarceration. For the last 40 years, Ziggy has traveled to prisons and halfway houses throughout Montana. In those cell blocks and rehabilitation rooms, Ziggy offers spiritual guidance, be it a passage of scripture or a prayer. He also helps those incarcerated or formerly incarcerated develop their self-esteem, encouraging them realize their worth. Ziggy has helped hundreds of men and women find a plan for life after incarceration. That's where Stella stepped in to complete the ministry. Stella oversaw the day-to-day operations of the Ziegler's bakery, including hiring workers. Collaborating with the prison ministry, Stella filled many of open jobs with former inmates. The employment provided those reentering society with structure and a community. Stella's reach goes beyond her bakery. She was instrumental in building the new St. Francis Catholic Elementary School and remodeling St. Patrick's Co-Cathedral in Billings. Even after retiring, Stella continues to help her community as she serves on boards and leadership committees. Madam Speaker, for their business successes and ministerial impact to help build a better path for those reentering society, I recognize Ziggy and Stella Ziegler of Billings for their Spirit of Montana.

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