Gladys L. Siebenahler

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GLADYS LUCILLE SIEBENAHLER was born on July 11, 1931 to Louie and Martha (Olawsky) Goldammer in Douglas County, SD. Gladys grew up with her ten siblings on her parent’s farm near Dimock, SD. Gladys was responsible for helping out with her siblings and often worked as hired help for others in the area to contribute to her family. Due to her mother’s health, she was only able to attend school through the eighth grade. Gladys’ commitment to family and her faith started at a young age and guided her entire life. Her future husband, Lloyd “Shorty” Siebehahler, caught her eye at the Arkota Ballroom in Sioux Falls, SD. They decided to head out for dinner with friends and began dating shortly thereafter. The couple was married September 9, 1951 at St. John Lutheran Church in Dimock. The young couple settled in Luverne, MN. They lived in an apartment until 1956 when they moved into the home that they built on Cedar Street. Gladys helped Shorty with his business, Siebenahler Construction, until his death in 2001. She continued to reside at their home. She began a new job at the Luverne High School where she worked for 17 years in food service. She retired in 2016. A few years ago, she moved into a condo in Luverne. In January, her health declined and she became a resident of the Good Samaritan Society – Mary Jane Brown Home in Luverne where she died peacefully under hospice care on June 3, 2021 at the age of 89 years, 10 months and 22 days.

Gladys was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne where she was active in choir, circle, MIA and helped wherever and whenever needed. She served as president of Grace Lutheran Church Women and loved to help with serving groups. She was a volunteer for Sanford Hospital and the Rock County Historical Society. She served as secretary and treasurer of the Maplewood Auxiliary. Gladys loved to bake. Some of her family’s favorites were her banana bars with peanut butter frosting. Her potato salad was a family tradition…it had to be made with Hellman’s mayo and French’s mustard. When there was a special event, Grandma Gladys’ potato salad would be there. Gladys was a sports fanatic. She loved her Minnesota Twins and could talk stats with the best of them. She never missed a game. Other sports she enjoyed were the Minnesota Vikings and the Luverne Cardinals as she cheered on her grandchildren. If you knew Gladys, you knew her laugh. She loved to laugh. She also enjoyed a good cup of coffee and a glass of wine. Above all, she was a mother and a grandmother who loved her family well.

She will be remembered by her children, Sue (Donn) Sandbulte of Luverne and Kathy Siebenahler and friend Jim Johannsen of Luverne; six grandchildren, Amy Tripp (fiancé, Todd Mergen), Eric Sandbulte (fiancé, Tammi Miller), Wendy (Lucas) Peters, Anthony (Melissa) Sandbulte, Heidi (Bryan) Kraemer and Adam Siebenahler; ten great-grandchildren, Zoey and Paige Sandbulte, Braeden Tripp, Krosby, Hobey and Kully Sandbulte, Lauren and Madison Peters and Tyson Kraemer and baby Kraemer on the way; two-great granddogs, Nordy and Snowball; bonus grandchildren, Aiden Mergen, Andrew (Justine) Miller and their daughter, Oaklyn, Seth Miller and Gabbi Miller; siblings, Edna Sprecher of Corsica, SD, Ervin (Ella) Goldammer of Custer, SD, Wilbert Goldammer of Bakersfield, CA, Marlene Gerlack of Mitchell, SD, Ann Wilson of Mesquite, NV, Darrel (Joyce) Goldammer of Sioux Falls, and Richard Goldammer of Mitchell; and other family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd; daughter, Carol (age 4); brothers, Arnold, Arthur and Wayne Goldammer; and sisters-in-law, Patti and Marilyn Goldammer.