Kathryn Siela

Kathryn Nadine Siela, age 95, of Geneseo, Illinois, formerly of Fonda, Iowa died March 23, 2017 in Geneseo. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, April 6, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Fonda. A rosary will be prayed at noon, followed by a visitation from 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. at the church. Burial will be in the Mt. Zion Catholic Cemetery in Fonda, followed by a “Reunion” Dinner at the KC Hall in Fonda. All are welcomed. The Mahaney Funeral Home in Fonda is in charge of the arrangements. The family requests no flowers or plants because of travel needs. Memorials for a future Rosary Garden in Storm Lake, IA on Seneca St. in memory of Lloyd & Margaret Wells and Joseph & Edna Siela are appreciated; as are mass requests. Address is Kayleen Fulcher @ P.O. Box 126, Geneseo, IL. 61254. "Two Kings, Two Queens, and Two Jacks" was the phrase Lloyd Wells used to proudly introduce his family. Once again, Margaret (Hammen) & Lloyd welcomed their "Queen of Hearts," KATHRYN NADINE: this time, to ETERNAL LIFE on March 23, 2017. Their first daughter, "Katie" was born on June 2, 1921 at the Parkin Wells family farm East of Twin Lakes, IA. Her birth was assisted by Aunt Sannie (Hammen) Stein who was the great-grandmother of Fr. Thomas Hart; her former pastor and now, funeral homilist. She was baptized into the Catholic faith as an infant. "Katie" Wells was the LAST of her family to pass away; her beloved siblings surely welcomed her to her new HOME. They are: queen of diamond, NAOMI (Thomas) Fitzpatrick, king of heart, DELAND (Anne) Wells; king of diamond, MARLYN (Berniece) Wells; jack of spade, WILLIS (Lorene) Wells and jack of club, ORVILLE (Betty) Wells. The Wells family moved to the August & Catherine Hammen farm West of Jolley, IA in 1927. Kathryn attended Jolley Consolidated School and St. Mary's Boarding School (Pomeroy, IA) to prepare & receive the sacrements of First Communion and Confirmation. In 1936, Katie's family moved to rural Varina, IA. She graduated from St. Columbkille's High School in 1939 and was a State Debater; a talent that served her well, the rest of her life. Katie was elected Pocahontas County 4-H president on her 18th Birthday and was honored to attend the State 4-H Convention. After high school, she met her future husband from Easton, MO. who was a hired hand at Leo & Florence Hammen's farm. The young couple were engaged before he was drafted into the army and served 4 years in the South Pacific as an engineer. Kathryn worked in Storm Lake, IA for Phil Thornton at his Smart but Thrifty Clothing Store; she lived in the Gran Apartments and made lifelong friends. Kathryn also spent time in St. Joseph, MO getting to know her fiancé’s family and working as a nanny and at the army depot. She & her future sister-in-law would walk 15 blocks early morn to attend mass and pray all the men would come home from the "war." Their prayers were answered in their family! April 26, 1945, Kathryn Nadine Wells was united in marriage to Gerald Milton Siela at St. Columbkille's in Varina, IA. Their long wait was over and the wedding dinner was at her parent's farm and they danced at the Cobblestone Ballroom in Storm Lake. They honeymooned in Minneapolis, thanks to her brother, Deland, lending his car and friends giving them gifts of gas ration tickets. Mr. & Mrs. Siela began their married life and farm career on the "Diamond" Jim & Alice Prendergast farm North of Varina. They lived there 6 years: lost their first baby, Margaret Lee (8-17-46) and welcomed their second daughter, Kayleen Edna (7-24-48) and their first son, Wayne Gerald (9-9-50). In March 1951, they moved to the Prendergast farm in Calhoun County, South of Fonda, IA. That would be their home for 40 years. She was a wonderful farm partner with her husband and loved working outdoors, but was equally proficient in her home. She often declared that she was "the best bookkeeper" in Calhoun County. Their second son, Francis Wells Siela (2-7-53) and third son, Joseph Lloyd passed shortly after birth (10-20-54) completed their Family. Kathryn always mourned the loss of those first & last babies; so our hope is that these little saints were the first to greet their mother when she passed. The Siela's dream of owning a farm happened in the early 1960's when they bought a farm in Pocahontas County near Sunken Grove and later ground in Buena Vista County. In the late-70's their youngest son, Francis & Kay and family moved to that farmstead and farmed with his dad. Kathryn especially enjoyed those local five grandkids and loved taking them to Missouri for Siela family visits. Also, she was active in Our Lady of Good Council Church with memberships in Holy Family Society (served as President) and Catholic Daughters of America (Grand Regent) and Iowa Past Grand Regents. She was a very good 4-H girls leader in Calhoun County for the Williams Happy Pals with her dear friend, Dorothy Pitstick (almost 100). They were proud when their daughters won a trip to the state fair with a bread baking demonstration. When her children went off to college and jobs, she started a new career as a Avon Sales Rep. and won many sales awards during her 12 years driving the country side. She was especially happy to have her young grandson, Abe, ride along to keep her company. Kathryn & "Jerry" loved winning trips by selling O'Gold seed corn. They had good times with a nice group of friends in Spain, Hawaii and the Caribbean Islands. Trips to Vinton, IA to visit son, Wayne & Linda on their well-kept farm reminded them of the rolling hills in Missouri. Grandma Katie would make the trip later in retirement; and loved the "tours" and games with her two grandsons, Neal & Austin; but would never allow them an easy win!! Grandpa & Grandma Siela enjoyed their trips to Geneseo, IL to visit daughter, Kayleen & John Fulcher and four grandchildren. Their son-in-law & his restaurants were another favorite part of every visit and coffee at Sieben Hybrids. Their retirement years were cut short on Nov. 29, 1988, when Gerald passed away after a brief hospitalization. He had completed his last harvest that fall and a heart-broken Katie stayed on the farm for almost three more years. She decided it was time to move to town after the barn came down in a storm and a skunk wandered into her garage as she was returning home one night. Her life work as a farm wife ended after 46 years. On Sept. 1991, Grandma Katie was thrilled to move into her remodeled home at 702 N. Main in Fonda; just one block from her beloved church, and remained there for the next 18 years. She enjoyed her bridge and 500 clubs, Meals on Wheels delivery, working in her yard and being a "church" lady. Mom was tickled to have won a $100 prize for writing a short verse about "Fences make good neighbors” for a farm magazine. Her pride & Joy was following the activities of her grandchildren at Newell-Fonda School and St. Mary's & Storm Lake H.S. She especially enjoyed basketball at the gym or on KAYL radio anticipating a few 3-pointers from grandson, Noah. For several years, Sat. afternoon visits with her grandson Zachary and great-granddaughter Mercedez warmed her heart. Sleepovers with the youngest Fonda grandchildren, John & Frankie, were always adventurous for all. The Fulcher kids: Ryan, Margo, Devin and Rory were great entertainment no matter what state they were living in. Life changed again for Kathryn in Nov. 2009, when health issues required her to move away from the community she cherished. Her new home was in Geneseo, IL. With her granddaughter, Margo & David in the Hone's adjoining granny apartment. She loved the "candy runs" from her great- grandchildren, Johnna Kathryn & Gavin Hone. Her last move was to WoodRidge Supportive Living (April 18. 2012) where she enjoyed community life, meals served to her, bingo, ROSARY on Wed. and Holy Communion on Sat. On St. Patrick's day she experienced a sudden decline and passed March 23, 2017 in her Rm. 144 with her daughter and confidant since 1988, Kayleen at her side. Granddaughter, Margo & David, and her namesake, Johnna Kathryn also witnessed her last breath. The days before her passing she had visits from son, Wayne & grandson Austin along with grandsons, Zak & Abe, and grandson, Devin & family. Kathryn was preceded in death by her parents, two infant children, her husband and five siblings and spouses (named above): her favorite son-in-law, John Fulcher, and two nephews: Tom Wells and Rod Wells. She also mourned the death of her husband’s parents, Joseph and Edna Siela and his siblings: Jim & Margaret Siela, Mary Louise & John Mackiewicz, Irma & Mont Buehler, Gene Siela, Bob & Eileen Siela and Eunice & Charles Grier and two nephews: Stephen Siela and Bob Buehler. Redemptive suffering was part of her life and her "mantra" was "All for the honor and glory of GOD!!!!!!" Mother, Aunt Kathryn, Grandma Katie and great-grandma (GG) is survived by her children: Kayleen Edna, Wayne Gerald and Francis Wells. Grandchildren: Zachary, Noah, Ryan, Margo, Abe, Devin, John, Rory, Frances, Neal & Austin. Great-grands: Mercedez, Jaelyn, Reid, Allison, Tucker, baby girl due, Johnna, Jorrin & Gavin, Gavin H., Chloe, Temperance, Genevieve, Charlie, Ivan and Amayah. Special godchildren are Mary Beth Fitzpatrick Mahon, Mark Wells and Brian Siela. Aunt Katie loved her nieces and nephews and counted 28 Wells and 19 Siela girls and boys.

Kathryn Siela

June 2, 1921 - March 23, 2017