My Dad, Casey Siefers, died Monday evening.November 15, 1924 - March 9, 2009
Orval ‘Casey’ Siefers, 84, Dorrance, died on Monday, March 9, 2009, at the Golden Living Center in Wilson, Kansas.
Casey was born November 15, 1924, near Wilson to John and Sarah (Peirano) Siefers. He attended Wilson schools and graduated from Wilson High School in 1943. Casey joined the U.S. Army in October of 1943 and served in the 8th Air Force, 3rd Division, 13th Wing, 100th Bomb Group, 418th Squadron until his discharge in November of 1945. He was credited with flying 33 missions on a B-17 bomber from England to Germany.
After his military service, Casey married Velma Kaufman on September 29, 1949. They made their home in Russell, Kansas, where Casey worked in the oil field for the Lane Wells Company. In 1963 they moved to Dorrance and he became postmaster at the Dorrance Post Office in 1964. He retired from the postal service in 1990. In addition to his work in the oil fields and post office, his true work passion was as a hog farmer for over 30 years.
Casey’s greatest joy in life was spending time with his grandchildren and, later in life, his great-grandchildren. They all loved him dearly and especially cherished his story-telling talents. Casey enjoyed gardening, particularly raising watermelons, and shared that love with his grandchildren by encouraging them to sell the melons at the local farmer’s markets. He also loved sports and was an avid K-State fan. When Casey wasn’t spending time with family, working in his garden or watching sports, he could be found at his favorite fishing spot.
Surviving family include: Casey’s wife Velma of Dorrance; Casey’s daughter Susan Thielen of Dorrance and her children Joey and Kelly Thielen of Dorrance, their children Garrett, Anna, and Sam; Matt and Lori Thielen of Dorrance and their daughter Hallie; and Kevin and Sharon Thielen of Manhattan; Casey’s daughter Debbie Brenneman and husband Greg of rural Salina and their children John and Stacia Brenneman of Salina and their daughter Natalie; and Jody and Tim McClelland of Gardner; Casey’s son Bill Siefers and wife Julie of Plainville and their children Alicia and DJ Basgall of Belle Plaine, Rebecca Siefers of Kansas City, Adam Siefers of Hays, Dain Zabokrtsky and his son Jerik of Fairbury, Nebraska, and grandson Caleb Zabokrtsky, Beatrice, Nebraska; Casey’s daughter Mary Kay Siefers and partner Nancy Bolsen of Manhattan.
He is also survived by three brothers: Merrill and wife Jeannine Siefers of Wilson, Ken Siefers and partner LaVern Heier of Wilson, Marland and wife Barbara Siefers of Wilson, sister-in-law Ferol Wagner and husband Bill of Garden City, sister-in-law Joan and husband Fred Weigel of Russell. Casey was preceded in death by son-in-law Joe Thielen, grandson Derek Zabokrtsky, two brothers John Siefers and Milton Siefers and one sister Bernice Zorn.
Casey was a member of Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church in Dorrance, American Legion Post #334, VFW Post 6240, and Dorrance and Bunker Hill Lions Club.
Visitation will be at Foster Mortuary in Wilson on Thursday, March 12, from 8:00 am to 5:30 pm. A Vigil will be held on Thursday, March 12, at 6:30 pm at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church in Dorrance with family receiving friends following the vigil service.
Funeral services will be held Friday, March 13, 2009, at 10:00 am at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church in Dorrance with Father David Metz officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Saint Joseph’s Catholic cemetery in Dorrance.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Saint Joseph’s Cemetery Fund or the Wilson Senior Center in care of Foster Mortuary, Wilson, Kansas.
Casey was born November 15, 1924, near Wilson to John and Sarah (Peirano) Siefers. He attended Wilson schools and graduated from Wilson High School in 1943. Casey joined the U.S. Army in October of 1943 and served in the 8th Air Force, 3rd Division, 13th Wing, 100th Bomb Group, 418th Squadron until his discharge in November of 1945. He was credited with flying 33 missions on a B-17 bomber from England to Germany.
After his military service, Casey married Velma Kaufman on September 29, 1949. They made their home in Russell, Kansas, where Casey worked in the oil field for the Lane Wells Company. In 1963 they moved to Dorrance and he became postmaster at the Dorrance Post Office in 1964. He retired from the postal service in 1990. In addition to his work in the oil fields and post office, his true work passion was as a hog farmer for over 30 years.
Casey’s greatest joy in life was spending time with his grandchildren and, later in life, his great-grandchildren. They all loved him dearly and especially cherished his story-telling talents. Casey enjoyed gardening, particularly raising watermelons, and shared that love with his grandchildren by encouraging them to sell the melons at the local farmer’s markets. He also loved sports and was an avid K-State fan. When Casey wasn’t spending time with family, working in his garden or watching sports, he could be found at his favorite fishing spot.
Surviving family include: Casey’s wife Velma of Dorrance; Casey’s daughter Susan Thielen of Dorrance and her children Joey and Kelly Thielen of Dorrance, their children Garrett, Anna, and Sam; Matt and Lori Thielen of Dorrance and their daughter Hallie; and Kevin and Sharon Thielen of Manhattan; Casey’s daughter Debbie Brenneman and husband Greg of rural Salina and their children John and Stacia Brenneman of Salina and their daughter Natalie; and Jody and Tim McClelland of Gardner; Casey’s son Bill Siefers and wife Julie of Plainville and their children Alicia and DJ Basgall of Belle Plaine, Rebecca Siefers of Kansas City, Adam Siefers of Hays, Dain Zabokrtsky and his son Jerik of Fairbury, Nebraska, and grandson Caleb Zabokrtsky, Beatrice, Nebraska; Casey’s daughter Mary Kay Siefers and partner Nancy Bolsen of Manhattan.
He is also survived by three brothers: Merrill and wife Jeannine Siefers of Wilson, Ken Siefers and partner LaVern Heier of Wilson, Marland and wife Barbara Siefers of Wilson, sister-in-law Ferol Wagner and husband Bill of Garden City, sister-in-law Joan and husband Fred Weigel of Russell. Casey was preceded in death by son-in-law Joe Thielen, grandson Derek Zabokrtsky, two brothers John Siefers and Milton Siefers and one sister Bernice Zorn.
Casey was a member of Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church in Dorrance, American Legion Post #334, VFW Post 6240, and Dorrance and Bunker Hill Lions Club.
Visitation will be at Foster Mortuary in Wilson on Thursday, March 12, from 8:00 am to 5:30 pm. A Vigil will be held on Thursday, March 12, at 6:30 pm at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church in Dorrance with family receiving friends following the vigil service.
Funeral services will be held Friday, March 13, 2009, at 10:00 am at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church in Dorrance with Father David Metz officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Saint Joseph’s Catholic cemetery in Dorrance.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Saint Joseph’s Cemetery Fund or the Wilson Senior Center in care of Foster Mortuary, Wilson, Kansas.
6 comments:
We are so sorry to hear about that. Let us know if you need anything.
I'm also sorry to hear this. I know from this blog that he meant a lot to you. Kind wishes...
Everyone,
Sorry to here about Uncle Casey. I read MK's history and was remembering the good times at the Hog Farm (The Creek). Ya'll are in our prayers, God bless
Gordon And Elsa
What a lovely man; I am so glad I got to know Casey through you and your family. The Siefers' Clan is an amazing bunch and I try every day to model my life in the image of this kind, loving, caring, and giving family. Peace be with you, Velma, and the rest of the family.
MK,
I'm so glad that you were able to be with your beloved father during his last days and that you'll be there to help over the next days. Your mother is blessed to have such loving and supportive children and I know all of you will be comforting each other as you share memories of your DAD.
My heart goes out to you and your enitre clan.
Love,
Bas
I would like to exchange links with your site marykaysiefers.blogspot.com
Is this possible?
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