" Death of George Sieben Retired Druggist Is Widely Mourned

Truly one of the city fathers was J. George Sieben, 77 year old retired pharmacist, who passed away at his home Thursday afternoon March 17. Three times mayor of the city which he chose as his own, George Sieben held the trust and respect of the community where he had lived since boyhood. While he was active in business, Mr. Sieben served for 12 years on the City Council and was instrumental in having the State hospital located here and was on the council during the erection of the Spiral bridge.

Despite his advanced age and a severe illness, Mr. Sieben kept his place in the community until death. Deeply interested in world affairs as well as local happenings, he enjoyed keeping in touch with the news of the day. He went faithfully each day to the J. G. Sieben drug store of which he was the founder to talk with his friends and help with the customers. His deep and kindly interest in anyone he met made friends for him always.

A charter member of the Knights of Columbus, Mr. Sieben was also the oldest living member of the St. Boniface Society and was given an honorary life membership in the Minnesota State Pharmaceutical Association as he was one of the organizers of the group.

J. George Sieben was born in Galena, Illinois, October 6, 1860, the second son born to John and Anna Einsweiler Sieben. His father died shortly before his birth and he lived with his mother until eleven years of age when he moved with her and his foster father to New Trier. Five years later he came to Hastings to work as an apprentice in the George W. Nosen drug store, one of the first of its kind in the city. Following shortly after Mr. Sieben’s marriage to Miss Helena Kimm in the St. Boniface church, January 25, 1883, his employer died and he was left in charge. A few years later the J. G. Sieben drug store was opened.

Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Sieben of whom three sons survive. Of the daughters, Marie died in infancy, Stella Marie died in 1926 and Mrs. Gertrude Gores in 1930. Surviving are three sons, George J. of Venice, California, Louis F. and Harry A. of this city; a half brother Peter Greten of this city and five grandchildren Mrs. Lawrence Vachon of Venice, California, Mrs. Charles Mowder of Los Angeles, and Harry, Mary Jane and James Sieben of this city.

Active in civic and lodge affairs Mr. Sieben was a regular communicant at the Guardian Angeles church as well. He found time during the World War to act as chairman of several Liberty Loan drives and was always interested in community enterprises which he believed would improve the city.

Mr. Sieben enjoyed good health most of his life with the exception of a severe illness about 17 months ago from which he was not expected to recover. He rallied, however, and in July was able to resume his daily trips to the store. On Monday and Tuesday of last week he was at the store and he felt able to be up on Wednesday. Death came quietly after he had retired for a nap Thursday and he was found there by his daughter-in-law, Mrs. Harry A. Sieben, when she brought him a lunch a few minutes later.

A requiem high mass was solemnized Tuesday in his honor at the Guardian Angels church before a packed crowd of friends and neighbors who came to pay their last tribute to a man loved by the entire community whose trustworthy life has left a lasting impression. Music was furnished by the church choir, Eugene Casserly singing the solos. Participating in the mass were the Rev. R. E. Nolan and the Rev. Henry Sledz, pastor and assistant pastor at the Guardian Angeles church, the Rev. Phillip S. Bahner, pastor of the St. Boniface church of this city and the Rev. M. J. Duhr, pastor of the St. Joseph’s church in Miesville. The beautiful and solemn burial service took place on the family lot in the St. Boniface cemetery just after a gentle spring rain.

Honorary pallbearers were Jacob Hiniker, Peter Hiniker, John Langenfenl, Dr. Peter H. Cremer, William J. Yanz, Peter A. Hoffman, Otto Ackerman, Frank A. Engel, Dr. Herman A. Fasbender, Peter C. Holzemer, Harry P. Schoen, Frank A. Newell, Charles P. Doffing, James Millett, Patrick W. Mullany, Ignatius Casserly, Nicholas M. Pitzen, Thomas Murtaugh, Barth J. Raetz and Edward C. Murray. Active pallbearers were Louis Schneider, Chester Graus, Albert B. Heinen, Michael G. Klein, Dr. A. J. Koppes and Dr. J.W. Kummer.

Those from out of the city included Mr. and Mrs. George Sieben of Venice, California; Mrs J. G. Fraff of Arlington, South Dakota, Mr. and Mrs. R. E. Phelps of Huron, South Dakota; Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Hagberg of Brainerd; Mr. and Mrs. Albert P. Kimm, Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Preus, Mrs. Donald Brooks, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Hanson, Mr. and Mrs. Loren Holmes, Mr. and Mrs. N. E. Hendrickson, Frank Buckley, Miss Kathryn Buckley, Mrs Mae Griwold, Miss Florence Griswold, Mr. and Mrs. William Constant, Mrs. Frand Lapensky, Miss Mary Claire Lapensky, Miss Kay Lapensky, Mr. and Mrs. Moore of Minneapolis: Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Dinesen, Mrs. Carrie Dinesen, Leo and Harold Dinesen, Mr. and Mrs. Leo Frey, Mrs. W. W. Conley, Mrs. Thomas Conley, Mrs. Joseph C. Lenihan, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Dreis, Mr. and Mrs. Hubert Dreis, irey Scheffer, the Misses Martha and Gretchen, Mr. and Mrs. John Coffey of St. Paul and Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Feely and Mr. and Mrs. Edward Feely of Farmington.



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Submitted by Jack McGill