George A. Siebens

NAME GEORGE A. SIEBENS, of DeKalb, Ill. died on Saturday, August 22 at Delnor Hospital in Geneva, Ill. with his loving wife and all eight of his children at his side. He was 77 years old.BORN: He was born on December 10, 1931 to Elias G. and Zelma (Storm) Siebens in Sycamore IL, and he farmed for many years with his father. He graduated from Maple Park (Ill.) High School in 1950 and married Carolyn Nieminen of DeKalb on August 7, 1954. The couple recently celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary.OCCUPATION / WORK HISTORY:The family lived on its farm in Maple Park for more than 50 years before moving to DeKalb five years ago. In addition to farming, Mr. Siebens owned and operated Siebens Arctic Cat for nearly 20 years and was a founding member of the DeKane Snow Trackers snowmobile club. He also was an Operating Engineer for Stahl Construction Company in DeKalb and later for Harry W. Kuhn Inc. of West Chicago, Ill.MEMBERSHIPS: He was an 18-year member of the Kaneland Community Unit School District 302 school board and a lifetime member of the Local 150 International Union of Operating Engineers. He was also a member of Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church in DeKalb.LIFE NOTES: Mr. Siebens was active in both his church and the Maple Park community throughout his life. He owned a log cabin in Sugar Camp, Wis., which was the favorite vacation spot for his large family. He often opened the cabin to friends and visitors, most notably from Maple Park many summers for an annual softball tournament in Sugar Camp, and youth members of Bethlehem Lutheran Church for ski trips many winters. Along with his brother, Richard, he also owned a fishing cottage in Western Ontario, Canada that was built by their father. That also became a favorite vacation spot for many family members and friends.SURVIVORS: He is survived by his wife, Carolyn, his brother Richard (Marie) Siebens of Maple Park; his sister, Joann (George) Seyller of Missouri; and eight children: Deborah (Dean) Helfers of Aurora, Ill.; Tamara (David) Farley of DeKalb; Peter Siebens of Waterman, Ill.; Timothy (Tammy) Siebens of Oswego, Ill.; Daniel (Sandra) Siebens of Green Bay, Wis.; Melissa (Dale) Wawracz of Lakeville, Minn.; Nathan (Carlye) Siebens of DeLand, Fla. and Alicia (Randy) Holley of Malta, Ill.He is also survived by 21 grandchildren: Katherine Signorella of Naperville, Ill.; Kimberly (Scott) Martin of Maple Park; Todd Signorella of Omaha, Neb.; Andrew and Jacob Helfers, both of Aurora; Allison and Kristen Farley, both of DeKalb; Angela Jaeger of North Aurora, Ill.; Matthew Jaeger of Palatine, Ill.; Aaron (Misty) Siebens of Jacksonville, Fla.; Jessica Drake of Oswego; Lance, Laura and Alexandra Siebens, all of Green Bay; Elias, Emma, Sophie and Sylvie Wawracz, all of Lakeville; Landon Siebens of DeLand; and Jared and Christopher Holley, both of Malta. He leaves behind 13 great-grandchildren. PRECEDED:He was preceded in death by both of his parents and an infant grandson, Quentin Richard Helfers.VISITATION / FUNERAL Visitation will be from 5-9 p.m., Wednesday, August 26, 2009 at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL. A funeral service to celebrate his life will be at 10:30 a.m., with visitation to precede the service from 9:30-10:15 a.m., Thursday, August 27, 2009, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1915 N. First St., DeKalb, IL. Rev. Gary Erickson, pastor of the church, will officiate and interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery, DeKalb.MEMORIAL A memorial has been established in his name. Checks may be made to the "George Siebens Memorial" and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address or on the web at www.conleycare.com.

Visitation will be from 5-9 p.m., Wednesday, August 26, 2009 at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL. A funeral service to celebrate his life will be at 10:30 a.m., with visitation to precede the service from 9:30-10:15 a.m., Thursday, August 27, 2009, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1915 N. First St., DeKalb, IL. Rev. Gary Erickson, pastor of the church will officiate.

Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery, DeKalb.