Sena W. Siebrecht

Sena Siebrecht, age 99, of Schaller, Iowa died Tuesday, April 18, 2017 at Odebolt Specialty Care in Odebolt. Funeral services will be held Friday, April 21, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Schaller. Burial will follow in the Odebolt Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 12:30 p.m. until the beginning of the service at the church. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Schaller is in charge of the arrangements. Gesine “Sena” Wierra Bruns was born November 19, 1917 in Raymond, Minnesota, the eldest child of Teleaus “Theodore” Bruns and Taalke “Tollie” (Gerdes) Bruns. On February 3, 1918, Sena was baptized at the Lutheran Church in Clara City, Minnesota. She later confirmed her faith at Peace Lutheran Church in Wall Lake, Iowa on April 3, 1933. Sena attended country school and completed 8th grade with honors. After completing her education, Sena was employed as domestic help for several local farm families and widow ladies. Consequently, she met her future husband, Maurice Siebrecht of Odebolt. They were married at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Fort Dodge, Iowa. The couple continued to work as a team for several farm families in the Carnarvon and Wall Lake, Iowa areas, until they rented and moved to a farm southwest of Schaller. Together, they were blessed with three children: Don, Mary, and Myron. Maurice and Sena purchased their own farm in 1953. She loved being a farmwife, and could often be found preserving produce, delivering lunches to the fields, milking and herding cows, walking beans, unloading corn, stacking bales, driving the tractor, and mowing the entire farm place which included the grove and steep roadside ditches. Sena was always sure to keep a clean and inviting home, as well. Her family looked forward to the wonderful homemade foods. Over the years, she even managed to get the Christmas lights on the house. Age was no deterrent. Sena was a member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Schaller where she taught Sunday school, was an active member of the Ladies Aid and funeral committee. She put together world relief quilts and participated in many LWML events. Playing cards were one of the things Sena and Maurice enjoyed. Much laughter and wild bidding were essential elements. All ages of the family were encouraged to join and learn the games. A good lunch was always a requirement before the event ended. Dancing was another of the couple’s favorite pastimes. They could often be found at the Cobblestone, Lakewood, or Arcadia ballrooms. Sena and Maurice later joined senior citizen dances in Aurelia or Paulina, Iowa. They celebrated both their 40th and 50th wedding anniversaries with “open-to-the-public” ballroom dances. Sena was still swinging and swaying up and down the nursing home hallways if she could find a CNA who knew how to ‘shake a leg’ or one she could teach a few steps. Oh, the smile on her face! Those left to cherish her memory include her children: Don (Connie) Siebrecht of Arthur, Iowa; Mary Siebrecht of Odebolt, Iowa; Myron (Bonnie) Siebrecht of Sioux Center, Iowa; grandchildren: Paula Westphal of Battle Creek, Iowa; Aaron (Lori) Siebrecht of Arthur, Iowa; Ben (Trista) Siebrecht of Boyden, Iowa; Nick (Rachel) Siebrecht of Sioux Center, Iowa; great grandchildren: Quinn Westphal, Haley Westphal, Erika Swanger, Jake Siebrecht, Alex Siebrecht, Jenna Siebrecht, Logan Siebrecht, Chloe Siebrecht; brother, Fred J. Bruns of Sac City, Iowa; sisters: Ann Cowlham of Odebolt, Iowa; Tillie Cutler of Tampa, Florida; many nieces and nephews; cousins and friends. Sena was preceded in death by her parents and parents-in-law; husband, Maurice; grandson, Will Siebrecht; great-grandchildren: Hannah and Brett Westphal; and brothers: Burt, Walt, and Ted Bruns.

Sena W. Siebrecht

November 19, 1917 - April 18, 2017