Angelika Ziegler is one of the personalities who have shaped Schule Schloss Stein for (all!) decades – not only through her commitment, but above all through her warmth of heart, her clear view of people and her unwavering attachment to the boarding school. This portrait in the “Stein proudly presents” series is therefore a somewhat more extended version: it can only show an excerpt of what Angelika “Angie” Ziegler means to Stein. Fortunately, some voices share memories and encounters with her that make her role, influence and presence visible across generations.
“Mrs. Angelika Ziegler has had a great influence on the
positive development of the Schloß Stein school for decades!
She has rendered outstanding services to the school!”
Christian von Pfuel | Stone Age 1954-1963
Already in the first years after the foundation in 1948 Angelika Ziegler was closely associated with Stein. As one of the first pupils, she experienced the development of the boarding school at first hand and became part of a lively community characterized by initiative. Culture, theater and community projects played a major role from the very beginning – and Angelika contributed early on to giving boarding school life its special character.
“Stein and the Ziegler couple in particular had a lasting impact on me and strongly conveyed the famous “Steiner spirit”.
Susanne Botschen | Stone Age 1978-1980
“When I think of my mother from my student perspective (after all, I spent my entire high school years in Stein), the first thing that spontaneously comes to mind is her love of detail. The allocation of rooms, the equipment of the departments, curtains, furniture, colors, fabrics. Everything should be perfect. But in the end, it’s not about aesthetics, it’s about creating a stylish and happy setting for a home for all Steiner residents.”
Nicolas Ziegler | Son, Stone Age 1981-1990
After the early death of Ilse Wiskott Olaf Ziegler took over took over the management of the school together with Angelika Ziegler. Over the course of three decades, they played a key role in shaping Stein: from its educational focus to theater and cultural projects to school trips and film clubs. Angelika Ziegler was always present – as an advisor, discussion partner, observer of everyday school life and as a personality that many pupils still remember today. Her mixture of warmth, down-to-earthness and a clear view made her a permanent reference person who had a lasting influence on the spirit of Stein.
“If someone asked me today: “Who has shaped the Steiner spirit the most for you?”, I would say Angelika Ziegler.
Her infinite love for this place and for the people it connects with – this love embraces us and holds us all.
I admire the clarity with which she sees, expresses and remembers things. This clarity is not always comfortable – and perhaps not always the only possible truth. But it is always truthful – and therefore so valuable.
For me, coming to Stein is a bit like coming home – also because she’s there!”
Andreas Kurzlechner | Stone Age 1990-1995
Even after her son Sebastian Ziegler took over, Angelika Ziegler remained a presence in everyday life at Stein. She was a familiar sight and a formative figure for many pupils, especially at the dining table in the dining hall – not least because of her loving concern for table manners. Until the coronavirus pandemic, she took a seat in the front dining hall at every lunch, was interested in what was going on, talked to the students and thus remained part of daily life at the boarding school.
To this day, she keeps a close eye on what is happening on the castle grounds and in the school community: curious, interested and always with a keen eye on what is happening in Stein. Only recently, we celebrated her 90th birthday together!
“She contributes to the fortunes of Schule Schloss Stein in two important phases:
Sebastian Ziegler | Son & General Manager, Stone Age 1980-1984
“Both Zieglers always found the non-conformists among the “Steiners” the most interesting. And I still think that’s great today.“
Clemens von Stauffenberg | Stone Age 1972-1979
It was around 1977 or 1978, Stein had been in a state of upheaval for some time: on one side, a crowd of pupils in chic suits and ties or expensive Hermé scarves around their necks adorned with pearl necklaces. On the other side, a handful of pupils in patched jeans and “Walle Walle” India dresses, shuffling towards the hard court with steaming teacups.
“This is how Angelica became the original mother of all dentes ardui for us.”
Klaus Oberkandler | Stone Age 1962-1971
Everyone thinks fondly of Angelika Ziegler, without whom Stein would not be what it is today. I’m sure that anything I would like to write about her that is loving, respectful and warm-hearted on the occasion of her 90th birthday can be formulated much better by others than by me. So instead, I would like to contribute a little anecdote from the time when Angie came back to Stein with her husband Olaf after Ilse Wiskott’s death. Of course we all eyed “the new girl”. The fact that she was the wife of the new boss was a minor matter for us. We were just the pre-68s. The later revolt was already casting a long shadow. And as Angelika confirmed to me at the Altsteinertreffen 2025, our cohorts were anything but the yellow of the egg back then. But we knew that ourselves. We were disrespectful, despised the establishment and demonized capitalists without realizing that it was precisely this system that made the Stein comfort zone possible for us.
At the time, our interest in “the new one” was limited to its appearance. The pros and cons were weighed up (“very pretty, but quite small”). The positives outweighed the negatives. And in a deadly boring Latin lesson with Heinz Lämmel, we whispered our opinions about the pros and cons of Angelika. This didn’t go unnoticed by our “rabbit father” Lämmel and he picked up on the comment of one of my cashier friends who said that Angie was a really “steep tooth”. Lämmel overheard this expression and asked whether the ancient Romans had ever used such phrases. Of course, we clueless people didn’t know the answer. But he did: Dens arduus – and immediately asked for the plural: Dentes Ardui. From then on, our new knowledge brought us closer to many a girl, whom we wanted to impress with our Latin knowledge and show how great we thought it was. So Angelika became the original mother of all dentes ardui for us.
Dear Angelika, today we smile about such memories. I don’t think you’ve ever heard that you were our Dens arduus, and I hope you’re also reading these lines with happy memories of that time. A personal note at the end: you not only enriched my stone time with your warm-hearted, understanding and loving nature. Even today, it is still something very special for me to meet you and chat with you. May it stay that way for many years to come
In heartfelt solidarity
– Klaus Oberkandler | Stone Age 1962-1971
“Formerly “Dear Mrs. Ziegler” and today “my dearest Angie”!
Yours Erina Uhl | Stone Age 1977-1982
The graduating classes of 2020-2024 look back on years full of challenges, solidarity and unforgettable moments. Between corona, new projects at boarding school and personal experiences, they talk about what Stein meant to them during this special time.
