Barbara Jane Ziegenhorn

Barbara Jane Ziegenhorn Obituary

Barbara Jane Letsinger Ziegenhorn passed away on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at the Sikeston Convalescent Center in Sikeston. She was 91. A well-known local businesswoman, property owner, and a licensed realtor in both Missouri and Florida, she was also a wife and mother of two who was active in Sikeston civic, community, school, and church activities for more than 60 years.

She is survived by her daughter Patricia J. Ziegenhorn (Michael Whigham), of Sikeston and Dublin, Georgia. Other survivors include her nephew, Timothy Cerny (Jan) and niece, Kimberly Cerny (Jay Divine), both of St. Louis; Marion Pratt, Anne Berbling, Charles (Sue) Pratt, Dennis Ziegenhorn (Karen) and David Ziegenhorn (Sue) all of Sikeston and Cindy Ziegenhorn Waldron of Jacksonville, FL.

She was preceded in death by her son Michael W. Ziegenhorn, a sister, Patricia Letsinger Cerny, and her former husband, Keith L. Ziegenhorn.

Married for 38 years, Barbara and Keith Ziegenhorn remained friends and business partners after their separation and divorce and until his death in 2007. Their business interests centered on insurance, real estate, and related development areas in the Sikeston area and in western Kentucky. Beginning in 1989, Barbara was an award-winning real estate agent in the Naples, Florida, market for 51 years while maintaining her realty practice in Sikeston. She kept both her realty licenses active well into her ninth decade.

She was born on September 5, 1935, in Mattoon, Illinois, to Walter E. Letsinger, a Texaco executive, and Cleo Rasmus Letsinger, a nurse educator. She grew up in Mattoon, in Sikeston, and in Webster Groves, Missouri. Graduating from Webster Groves High School in 1953, she enrolled at Southeast Missouri State. She renewed an old high school friendship with Keith Ziegenhorn there and they were married in Webster Groves, Missouri, on December 31, 1953. Barbara was a Home Economist for Associated Natural Gas demonstrating the latest in gas cooking appliances in Sikeston until the birth of her son Mike Ziegenhorn in 1956. She re- entered the work force in 1959 as administrator and bookkeeper for her husband's insurance agency until the birth of her daughter Patricia in1961. Throughout the 1960's and 1970's she was active as a young mother and in a wide variety of church, school, and community activities. She loved in cook and entertain her entire life. Always seeking and preparing new recipes from local cookbooks, national magazines, and close friends. She maintained a vast collection of cookbooks and documented recipe files.

In the early 1960's she was President of the Jaycee Wives organization, which supported fund raising and operations for the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo. Her other fund raising and volunteer efforts included the United Way, the Missouri Delta Medical Center, the Sikeston Chamber of Commerce, and the Rotary International Student Exchange Program. She was a Cub Scout and Brownie Scout Leader, 4H Leader, and PTA fundraiser. A member of the First United Methodist Church in Sikeston, she was active with the MY group there.

In the mid-1970's, she was involved in fundraising for several years in support of the Sikeston Community Concert and Theater organization. She participated for nearly three decades as a model for the Coalesce Fashion Show fundraisers sponsored by the Elite Shop, a Sikeston women's clothing retailer. In addition, she served as a frequent special events coordinator for Ziegenhorn Insurance and related family business interests in Sikeston, and in support of the family's ownership and operations role at Sportsman's Lodge on Kentucky Lake.

Among her favorite recreations over the years were sailing her boat “Lucky Lady” on Kentucky Lake, where she was also an avid bass fishing enthusiast with her son Mike. She also loved tailgate parties at Mizzou and sorority activities there with her daughter Patty, her sister Pat and niece Kim. She continued to spend time at Kentucky Lake up until her 89th birthday. She frequently would be seen driving in and around Sikeston into her 90’s. She was truly a spitfire and enjoyed life to its fullest.

The family wants to thank the staff of Sikeston Convalescent Center for the care and patience they showed during Barbara’s stay in their facility as well as the comfort and care she received from the Legacy Hospice Staff.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Sikeston Nutrition Center or the Sikeston Public Library.