Gladys Lucille Siebenahler, 89, Luverne, died peacefully under hospice care on Thursday, June 3, 2021, at the Good Samaritan Society – Mary Jane Brown Home in Luverne.
A funeral service was Tuesday, June 8, at Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne. Burial followed at Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne.
Gladys Goldammer was born on July 11, 1931, to Louie and Martha (Olawsky) Goldammer in Douglas County, South Dakota. She grew up with her 10 siblings on her parents’ farm near Dimock, South Dakota. Gladys was responsible for helping out with her siblings and often worked as hired help for others in the area to contribute to her family. Due to her mother’s health, she was only able to attend school through the eighth grade.
Gladys married Lloyd “Shorty” Siebehahler on Sept. 9, 1951, at St. John Lutheran Church in Dimock. They settled in Luverne in an apartment until 1956 when they moved into the home that they built on Cedar Street. Gladys helped Shorty with his business, Siebenahler Construction, until his death in 2001. She continued to reside at their home.
Gladys then worked for 17 years in food service at the Luverne High School, retiring in 2016. A few years ago, she moved into a condo in Luverne. In January her health declined and she became a resident of the Good Samaritan Society – Mary Jane Brown Home in Luverne.
Gladys was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne where she was active in choir, circle, MIA and helped wherever and whenever needed. She served as president of Grace Lutheran Church Women and loved to help with serving groups. She was a volunteer for Sanford Hospital and the Rock County Historical Society. She served as secretary and treasurer of the Maplewood Auxiliary.
Gladys loved to bake. She was also known for her special potato salad at family gatherings. Gladys was a sports fanatic and followed the Minnesota Twins, the Minnesota Vikings and the Luverne Cardinals as she cheered on her grandchildren.
Gladys is survived by her children, Sue (Donn) Sandbulte of Luverne and Kathy Siebenahler and friend Jim Johannsen of Luverne; six grandchildren, Amy Tripp (fiancé Todd Mergen), Eric Sandbulte (fiancé Tammi Miller), Wendy (Lucas) Peters, Anthony (Melissa) Sandbulte, Heidi (Bryan) Kraemer and Adam Siebenahler; 10 great-grandchildren; bonus grandchildren, Aiden Mergen, Andrew (Justine) Miller and their daughter, Oaklyn, Seth Miller and Gabbi Miller; siblings Edna Sprecher of Corsica, South Dakota, Ervin (Ella) Goldammer of Custer, South Dakota, Wilbert Goldammer of Bakersfield, California, Marlene Gerlack of Mitchell, South Dakota, Ann Wilson of Mesquite, Nevada, Darrel (Joyce) Goldammer of Sioux Falls, and Richard Goldammer of Mitchell; and other family.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd; daughter Carol (age 4); brothers Arnold, Arthur and Wayne Goldammer; and sisters-in-law, Patti and Marilyn Goldammer.
Arrangements were provided by Hartquist Funeral Home of Luverne, hartquistfuneral.com.
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