Mary Lou Siewert
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Mary Lou (Kronberg) Siewert, of McIntosh, SD passed away at the 5 Counties Nursing Home in Lemmon, SD on Sunday, September 27, 2020.
Service of Remembrance for Mary Lou will be Friday, October 2, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. MT at the McIntosh School Gymnasium. Rev. Tottie Lenerville will officiate. Burial will be on Saturday, October 3, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. CT at the Ellendale City Cemetery in Ellendale, ND. Visitation will be from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. MT at the Evanson Jensen Funeral Home in Lemmon, SD on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020 and one hour prior to the Funeral at the Gym in McIntosh on Friday. Services on Friday will be livestreamed through www.evansonjensenfuneralhome.com.
Mary Lou Kronberg was born on February 24, 1927 on the family farm in Weber Township, McPherson County SD and was the second generation to be born at home there. Her parents were Mamie (Weber) and Peter G. Kronberg, and the family grew to include her brother Russell and sister Marabelle. She attended country school for elementary, and drove to Forbes, ND for high school, where she graduated in 1945. Her involvement in 4-H led to a desire to become a Home Economist so she attended college in Ellendale at UND (EB) known at that time as Normal Industrial. During college, she met Roy Siewert of Kulm, ND who was attending NI following his return from combat during World War II in Europe. Roy and Mary Lou were married in Forbes on June 10, 1951 and began their teaching careers in Cogswell and Oakes, North Dakota. Their son Leslie was born in 1954 and three daughters followed: Julie in 1957, Rosemary in 1958, and Melanie in 1963. Also during this time, Roy and Mary Lou farmed west of Forbes and Roy taught country school while Mary Lou stayed home raising children and livestock. Following numerous years of hail and spring flooding, Roy and Mary Lou returned to teaching, spending one year in Ray, ND and then moving to McIntosh, SD in 1967, where they were to spend the rest of their lives. Roy taught High School Science and was high school principal for a number of years, and Mary Lou taught Home Economics and was Junior Class and FHA Advisor. Roy retired from teaching in 1973 to spend his time as a hobby farmer and working at the SRST Housing Plant until his sudden death in 1984. Mary Lou then moved into McIntosh with their son Les, renting then purchasing the home where Les continues to live. Mary Lou taught for 24 years in McIntosh and was chosen SD Teacher of the Year in 1974. After retirement she continued to substitute teach in McIntosh and Selfridge, ND.
Mary Lou learned self-reliance and teamwork growing up on the farm and as part of a small community, and she passed those values on to her children and to her many students. She is remembered for her patience and kindness by her students, while still expecting high standards to be met. Her family remembers the love she expressed in uncounted ways; always generous with her time despite a busy work schedule. She was an active member of many community groups: American Legion Auxiliary, Presbyterian Women, Community Club, Extension Clubs, Hobby Club, Order of Eastern Star. She belonged to the First Presbyterian Church of McIntosh where she served as a Ruling Elder, as Clerk of Session, as Elder Commissioner to Presbytery of South Dakota, and on the Camping Committee for POSD - each of these for many elected terms. Mary Lou was a planner, an organizer, and a doer - her quiet optimism, thoughtful opinion, and encouragement were sought by her many friends. She enjoyed coffee time and playing games of all kinds with Joyce, LeAnn, Regina, Lena, Theresa, Leona, Virginia, Grace, and especially Norma and Lois. Visiting her extended family was a priority, and during retirement she enjoyed bus tours with Dorothy and Phyllis. She enjoyed gardening, canning, craft work of all kinds, loved baking rolled and cut cookies with her children and grandchildren, and especially loved sewing. She enjoyed sharing personal memorabilia with teen-age history classes studying WW II.
Grateful for having shared in her life are her son, Les Siewert, McIntosh, SD, daughters, Julie (John) Mairose, Rapid City, SD, Rosi (Don) Zimbleman, Fullerton, ND and Melanie (Clay) Anderson, Belle Fourche, SD; grandchildren, Jessica (Dan Taylor) Walker, Amanda (Johnny) Brewster, Adam (Jess) Zimbleman, Katelyn (Jason) Hagen, Tessa (Cory) Voyles, Eric (Ashley) Anderson, Brianne (Jesse) Fox, 5 great-grandsons and 5 great-granddaughters.
Condolences may be sent through www.evansonjensenfuneralhome.com.