Siebens, Gasky Henry 1875-1957

SIEBENS, HULS, TAYLOR, GABEL, MEINJOHANS, HEIN, FRISKE, POPKEN, GROSENHEIDER, HILRICHS

Posted By: Bavia Huls Gibson (email)
Date: 2/20/2005 at 22:46:46

GASKY H. SIEBENS

Gasky Henry Siebens, daughter of Mr. Henry and Rinne (geb.) Reinken Huls, was born July 25, 1875, in the village of Riepe, Ostfriesland, Germany. In her infancy she was baptized in the Lutheran faith; and then she became a child of God and an heir of salvation. At the age of 7 she came with her parents to the United States in order to improve their living conditions. They came first to Minonk, Illinois, here she was confirmed in the Lutheran faith as she promised to remain faithful to the Lord and his church and has remained true to this promise all her life. In 1892 she came with her parents to Plymouth County, where she has lived ever since.

On December 18, 1894, she was joined in holy wedlock to Esdert E. Siebens, the marriage ceremony was performed in St. John's Lutheran Church of Preston Township near Akron, Reverend Theodore Meyer officiated. This marriage was blessed with eleven children of which three preceded her in death.

Mrs. Siebens enjoyed good health for the greater part of her life. On November 14, 1952, she suffered a stroke which caused her to become bedfast for the remainder of her life, that is for about 5 years. She spent about 3 months in the Akron Community Hospital, then she received loving care for about two years in the homes of her daughters, Mrs. Harvey Taylor and Mrs. Glen Gabel. Then in February 1955, she was taken to Sacred Heart Hospital, Le Mars where she has been a patient ever since. She bore her sickness in true Christian patience without hardly a complaint from her lips and humbly submitted to the will of her Heavenly Father. She realized that all things worked together for good to them that love God who does all things well. By the grace of God she did not have to suffer much bodily pain, but a few weeks before her death, it became apparent that her time of suffering might come to an end. Her pastor assisted her for her walk through the valley of the shadow of death two days before her death by administering Holy Communion and strengthening her with the Word of God. At this time she expressed her willingness and readiness to depart if and whenever the Lord would call her home. Then on Thursday, August 29, 1957, at 9:10 the Lord in his mercy called her from this vale of sorrow to Himself in Heaven. For all the blessings which were bestowed upon her in her long life and for the long time of grace which He granted her, her children and her many friends were deeply greatful. She reached the age of 82 years, 1 month, and 7 days.

The passing of a good and loving mother is mourned by five sons and three daughters, Sieben E. Siebens, Akron; Henry E. Siebens, of Hartle, Wisconsin; George E. and Andrew E. Siebens, both of Le Mars; and John E. Siebens, Akron; three daughters, Mrs. Glen (Rena) Gabel, Akron; Mrs. Harvey (Anna) Taylor, Akron; and Miss Martha Siebens, of Pompano Beach, Florida. Her passing is also mourned by 18 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren; also by five brothers, Henry Huls, Le Mars; John Huls, Akron; Ed Huls, Akron, Chris Huls, Lake Crystal, Minnesota; and Alex Huls, Shell Lake, Wisconsin; three sisters, Mrs. Kate Meinjohans, Alcestor, South Dakota; Mrs. Rena Hein, Winfred, South Dakota; and Mrs. Ida Friske, Elystan, Minnesota. She was preceded in death by her husband, Esdert Siebens, in 1947, two sons and one daughter, one brother and two sisters.

From the time she came to Plymouth County until her death she was a loyal and faithful member of our St. John's American Lutheran Church; she was regular in church attendance as long as she was able to attend services. During the ministery of her former pastor, the Reverend Theordore Meyer, she was ready and willing to assist him wherever there was a need; and especially in time of sorrow she was willing to offer a helping hand in the spirit of Christ who went all out doing good. She enjoyed the many visits of her pastor and was grateful for the administration of the Word and Sacrament. She was also a member of the Ladies Aid and at the time of her death an honorary member. She appreciated the visits of the member of her church and especially of the members of the Ladies Aid.

"The sufferings of the present life are not worthy to be compared to the glory which shall be revealed in us." (Romans 8:18) "Our life affliction which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weigh of glory; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. In peace this life departing to yonder realms I soar, that I with Christ, my brother, may dwell forevermore. My toil and cares are ended, my troubles all must cease. For in Thy wounds, O Jesus, my soul has found its peace."

The funeral sevice for Mrs. E. Siebens, was held Monday, September 2 in St. John's American Lutheran Church, Preston Township, with a brief service preceding at 1:15 at the home of Mrs. Harvey Taylor, in Akron. The church service was held at 2:00.

The pastor used as his text: II Corinthians12:9; II Timothy 4:7-8. The theme of the sermon was Let us praise God for the blessing bestowed upon our departed sister. 1. that God strengthened her in her sufferings, 2. that she remained faithful to the end, and 3. that crown of life is now granted to her.

The following sang during the services: Miss Helen Popken and Mrs. R. Grosenheider, "The Lord Knows Why" John Hilrichs,. "He Understands" and Ben Hilrichs and John Hilrichs, "Gods Ways."

She was laid to rest in St. John's Lutheran Cemetery.

~Source: LeMars Globe-Post, Sept. 5, 1957