Vera M. Siekert

     Vera M. Siekert, 94, of Sparta, passed away Monday, September 17, 2018.  Vera was born to Charles & Dora (Johnson) Ziegler, June 23, 1924 in their farmhouse in Township of Angelo, Sparta, Wisconsin, the eighth of ten children.  She attended Lower Farmer’s Valley School and Sparta High School graduating in 1942.

     After being a domestic for two years, she joined the Army following in the footsteps of her four older military brothers. She was a WAC serving August 1944 to June 1946, starting in Georgia then Truax Field in Madison, Wisconsin and Scott Field in Illinois. Vera received the Commendation Medal as Clerk-Typist.  After discharge, she worked in the finance office at Wisconsin Child Center, Sparta. Vera returned to the service for one year 1948-1949, this time in the Air Force.  She was stationed in La Crosse working in recruiting before transferring to Offutt AFB in Omaha, Nebraska.

     Vera married Harold Siekert at St. John’s Ev. Lutheran church in Sparta, was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran faith in early 1950. They farmed the Siekert farm in Isham Valley/Bush Prairie. Harold also worked for Milwaukee Road/Soo Line which left much farming and gardening for her and the kids. Years later she took a job at Sparta Day Care Center and then to the TACE department at Fort McCoy retiring in June 1986.

     During her lifetime Vera was a 4-H member and leader, a member of the Railroad Club, the local Homemaker’s Club and St. John’s Ladies Aid serving many offices and on many committees. She enjoyed playing cards, yes she did. She raised many vegetables and her passion of growing flowers won her many prizes at the Monroe County Fair where she proudly exhibited for 75 years. She sewed, knitted, crocheted, tatted, quilled, quilted, cooked, canned, froze, delivered birthday cakes to shut-ins for church, the list goes on.  Vera was a Packer Backer and a rabid Milwaukee Braves then Brewers fan. Besides a trip to Seattle’s World Fair in 1962, there were many trips throughout the country visiting relatives and friends.

     Vera was preceded in death by her parents, her in-laws Arthur and Laura Siekert, husband Harold in 2002, brothers: Clayton, Harold, Clair, Loren, Leonard, Charles and sisters Bergetta Arttus, Mabel Brohmer and Verna Chambers and their spouses. And by three of Harold’s sisters and their husbands: Delores (Glen) Kenyon, Gladys (Raymond) Nauman, and Ruth (Bob) Poss.  She is survived by sister-in-law Nerine (Siekert) Kaase and her husband Fred (Spike) and sister-in-law Florence (Loren) Ziegler.

     She is further survived by her children; Judi (Dave) Butler, St. Cloud FL, Chuck, Sparta WI, Ellen (Chris Bartz), Austin TX and Glenda, Des Moines IA. Grandchildren; Shannon (Ken) Sell, Lake Alfred FL, Leigh Anne (Brent) Ricks, Orlando FL, Erika Siekert, Pine City MN and Christina Siekert, LaCrosse WI. Vera is survived by 4 great grandchildren; Marcus Von Eberstein, Alexis Wharton, Gabryel Ricks of Florida and Alex Rodebaugh of Minnesota. Surviving are many cousins, nieces and nephews and their families, plus many friends.

     A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, October 19, 2018 at St. John’s Ev Lutheran Church, Sparta, with Reverend John Meyer officiating. Burial, with full military honors provided by Sparta VFW Post 2112, will be in the church cemetery.

     Family and friends are invited to call from 10 a.m. until time of services on Friday at the church. 

     The Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home, Sparta, is assisting the family with arrangements. 

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