Siebens, Martha 1911-2010

SIEBENS, HULS

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 9/24/2010 at 08:42:56

Le Mars Daily Sentinel, Thursday, September 23, 2010

Martha Siebens, 99, of Pompano Beach, Fla., formerly of Le Mars, died Friday, Sept. 17, 2010, at her home.

Martha was born June 24, 1911, to Esdert and Grace Siebens. Martha grew up in Preston Township, Plymouth County, Iowa. She moved to Mapleton, Minn., where she worked in a chicken hatchery. Later she became a caregiver to Verdene Kunz who had cerebral palsy. Martha was to be her caregiver for Verdene's entire lifespan.

Martha and Verdene attended schools in Long Island, N.Y.; Havana, Cuba; and finally Pompano Beach, Fla., where Martha made her home. Martha made many friends among cerebral palsy patients. One significant friend was Marcia Mueller who lived with Martha for nearly 40 years.

Martha was very active in Hope Lutheran Church in Pompano Beach, being a charter member of this congregation. She served faithfully in the Women's Guild and Altar Care for many years. She designed and made banners which decorated the church for special seasons of the church year.

Martha worked as an alterations professional for several shops and individuals in the Ft. Lauderdale and Pompano Beach area.

For the last years of her life, John Tomassetti had been Martha's caregiver.

Martha loved to sing. She had a wonderful laugh, and she loved people. She worked her entire life to support others.

She will be missed by all who knew her. We rejoice that she has rejoined her loved ones and is at peace with her Lord.

Martha is survived by her nephews, Stanley Taylor, Darryl Siebens, Steward and Marlin Siebens, and David Gabel; by nieces Norma Wendt and Karen Taylor; and by her sister-in-law Frieda Siebens Kruse.

She was preceded in death by her parents Esdert and Grace (Huls) Siebens; by six brothers, Sieben, Henry, George, Andrew, John, and Chris and two sisters, Anna Taylor and Rena Gabel.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. John Lutheran Church, Preston Township, rural Akron, with the Rev. Sarah Nye officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitations will be from 9:30 a.m. until service time. Arrangements are with the Carlsen Funeral Home of Le Mars.