Kathryn Siela

"Two Kings, Two Queens and Two Jacks" was the phrase Lloyd Wells used to proudly introduce his family. Once again, Margaret (Hammen) & Lloyd welcomed their "Queen of Hearts," KATHRYN NADINE - this time, to ETERNAL LIFE on March 23, 2017. Their first daughter, "Katie" was born on June 2, 1921, at the Parkin Wells family farm east of Twin Lakes, IA. Her birth was assisted by Aunt Sannie (Hammen) Stein who was the great-grandmother of Father Thomas Hart, her former pastor and now, funeral homilist.  She was baptized into the Catholic faith as an infant. "Katie" Wells was the LAST of her family to pass away. Her beloved siblings surely welcomed her to her new HOME. They are: queen of diamonds, NAOMI (Thomas) Fitzpatrick, king of hearts, DELAND (Anne) Wells; king of diamonds, MARLYN (Berniece) Wells; jack of spades, WILLIS (Lorene) Wells and jack of clubs, ORVILLE (Betty) Wells. The Wells family moved to the August and Catherine Hammen farm west of Jolley, IA in 1927. Kathryn attended Jolley Consolidated School and St. Mary's Boarding School (Pomeroy, IA) to prepare and receive the sacraments of First Communion and Confirmation.  In 1936, Katie's family moved to rural Varina, IA.  She graduated from St. Columbkille High School in 1939 and was a State Debater, a talent that served her well for the rest of her life. Katie was elected Pocahontas County 4-H president on her 18th birthday and was honored to attend the State 4-H Convention. After high school, she met her future husband from Easton, MO. who was a hired hand at Leo and Florence Hammen's farm. The young couple were engaged (1943) after he was drafted into the Army and served four years in the South Pacific as an engineer. Kathryn worked in Storm Lake, IA for Phil Thornton at his Smart but Thrifty Clothing Store. She lived in the Gran Apartments and made lifelong friends. Kathryn also spent time in St. Joseph, MO getting to know her fiancé’s family. She worked as a nanny and at the Army Depot. She and her future sister-in-law would walk 15 blocks early in the morning to attend mass at the Cathedral and pray that all the men would come home from the "war." Their prayers were answered in their family!

April 26, 1945, Kathryn Nadine Wells was united in marriage to Gerald Milton Siela at St. Columbkille Catholic Church in Varina, IA. Their long wait was over. The wedding dinner was at her parent's farm and they danced at the Cobblestone Ballroom in Storm Lake. They honeymooned in Minneapolis, thanks to her brother, Deland, lending his car and friends giving them gifts of gas ration tickets. Mr. and Mrs. Siela began their married life and farm career on the "Diamond" Jim & Alice Prendergast farm, north of Varina. They lived there six years. They lost their first baby, Margaret Lee (8-17-46) and welcomed their second daughter, Kayleen Edna (7-24-48) and their first son, Wayne Gerald (9-9-50). In March 1951, they moved to the Prendergast farm in Calhoun County, south of Fonda, IA. That would be their home for 40 years. She was a wonderful farm partner with her husband and loved working outdoors, but was equally proficient in her home. She often declared that she was "the best bookkeeper" in Calhoun County. Their second son, Francis Wells Siela (2-7-53) and third son, Joseph Lloyd, who passed shortly after birth (10-20-54), completed their family. Kathryn always mourned the loss of those first and last babies. Our hope is that these little saints were the first to greet their mother when she passed.

The Siela's dream of owning a farm happened in the early 1960's when they bought a farm in Pocahontas County near Sunken Grove and later ground in Buena Vista County. In the late-70's, their youngest son, Francis and Kay and family moved to that farmstead and farmed with his dad. Kathryn especially enjoyed those local five grandkids and loved taking them to Missouri for Siela family visits.  She was active in Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, with memberships in Holy Family Society (served as President) and Catholic Daughters of America (Grand Regent) and Iowa Past Grand Regents.  She was a very good girls' 4-H leader in Calhoun County for the Williams Happy Pals, with her dear friend, Dorothy Pitstick (almost 100). They were proud when their daughters won a trip to the State Fair with "Our Daily Bread," a bread baking demonstration. When her children went off to college and jobs, she started a new career as an Avon Sales Representative and won many sales awards during her twelve years driving the countryside. She was especially happy to have her young grandson, Abe, ride along to keep her company.

Kathryn and Jerry loved winning trips by selling O'Gold seed corn. They had good times with a nice group of friends in Spain, Hawaii and the Caribbean Islands. Trips to Vinton, IA to visit son, Wayne and Linda on their well-kept farm reminded them of the rolling hills in Missouri. Grandma Katie would make the trip later in retirement. She loved the "tours" and games with her two grandsons, Neal and Austin, but would never allow them an easy win!! Grandpa and Grandma Siela enjoyed their trips to Geneseo, IL to visit daughter, Kayleen and John Fulcher and four grands. Their son-in-law and his restaurants were another favorite part of every visit and coffee at Sieben Hybrids. Their retirement years were cut short on Nov. 29, 1988, when Gerald passed away after a brief hospitalization. He had completed his last harvest that fall and a heart-broken Katie stayed on the farm for almost three more years. She decided it was time to move to town after the barn came down in a storm and a skunk wandered into her garage as she was returning home one night. Her life work as a farm wife ended after 46 years. On September 1991, Grandma Katie was thrilled to move into her newly remodeled home at 702 N. Main in Fonda, just one block from her beloved church. She remained there for the next 18 years. She enjoyed her bridge and 500 clubs, Meals on Wheels delivery, working in her yard and visiting at the nursing homes. Mom was tickled to have won a $100 prize for writing a short verse about "Fences make good neighbors...” for FARMING magazine (Mar/Apr 1995). Her pride and joy were following the activities of her grandchildren at Newell-Fonda School and St. Mary's & Storm Lake H.S. She especially enjoyed basketball at the gym or on KAYL radio, anticipating a few 3-pointers from grandson, Noah. For several years, Saturday afternoon visits with her grandson Zachary and great-granddaughter Mercedes warmed her heart. Sleepovers with the youngest Fonda grands, John and Frankie, were always adventurous for all. The Fulcher kids, Ryan, Margo, Devin, and Rory were great entertainment no matter what state they were living in. Kathryn enjoyed Solitaire and a good box of chocolates and "Everyone Loves Raymond" on T.V.

Life changed again for Kathryn in November 2009, when health issues required her to move away from the community she cherished. Her new home was in Geneseo, IL, with her daughter's support. She lived with granddaughter, Margo & David, in the Hone's adjoining "granny" apartment. She loved the "candy runs" from her great- grands, Johnna Kathryn & Gavin Hone. Great-granddaughter, Tempi, visited as a newborn and a four-generation photo in wedding gowns was taken in her large bedroom. Her last move was to Woodridge Supportive Living (April 18, 2012) where she enjoyed community life, meals served to her, bingo, the ROSARY on Wednesday and Holy Communion on Saturday. On St. Patrick's Day, she experienced a sudden decline and passed March 23, 2017, in room 144, with her daughter and confidant since 1988, Kayleen, at her side. Granddaughter Margo and David, and her great-grand-daughter, Johnna Kathryn, also witnessed her last breath. The days before her passing, Kathryn had visits from son, Wayne, and grandson Austin, grandsons, Zak and Abe, and grandson, Devin and family. Father Mike Pakula "anointed" her 24 hours before she died and when she was "called by name," the sun was shining across her bed.

Kathryn was preceded in death by her parents, two infant children, her husband and five siblings and spouses (named above): her favorite son-in-law, John Fulcher, and two nephews, Tom Wells and Rod Wells. She also mourned the death of her husband’s parents, Joseph and Edna Siela and his siblings, Joseph Clarion, Jim and Margaret Siela, Mary Louise and John Mackiewicz, Irma and Mont Buehler, Gene Siela, Bob and Eileen Siela, and Eunice and Charles Grier and two nephews, Stephen Siela and Bob Buehler.  Redemptive suffering was part of her life and her mantra was "All for the honor and glory of GOD!!!!!!"

Kathryn Siela, or, also known as, “Mother”, “Aunt Kathryn”, “Grandma Katie” and “great-grandma ‘GG’” is survived by her children; Kayleen Edna (Siela) Fulcher, Wayne Gerald (Linda) Siela and Francis Wells Siela and past- daughter-in-law (Kay Sebben Siela); grandchildren, Zachary S., Noah S. (Cassandra), Ryan F. (Danika), Margo (David Hone), Abe S. (Jamie), Devin F. (Stacie), John S., Rory F. (Mackenzie), Frances Catherine Siela, Neal S. (Lori) and Austin S. (Courtni); great-grands, Mercedez, Jaelyn, Reid, Allison, Tucker, a baby girl due, Johnna, Jorrin and Gavin, Gavin H., Chloe, Temperance, Genevieve, Charlie, Ivan and Amayah. Special godchildren are Mary Beth Fitzpatrick Mahon, Mark Wells and Brian Siela. Aunt Katie LOVED her nieces and nephews and counted "28” Wells and "20" Siela girls and boys (now all grandparents themselves). "In all the work you are doing, work the best you can.  Work as if you were doing it for the Lord, not for people." (Col 3:23 NCV)                                                                                  

KATHRYN NADINE SIELA (age 95) will finally return to IOWA for her funeral

Thursday, April 6, 2017, in Fonda, IA.

Our Lady of Good Counsel Church

Noon - ROSARY   12:00-2:00 Visitation

2:00 - MASS of Christian Burial and Mt. Zion Cemetery

4:00 - Reunion Dinner at Knights of Columbus Hall

ALL ARE WELCOMED

The family requests no flowers or plants because of travel needs.  MEMORIALS for a future ROSARY GARDEN in Storm Lake, IA on Seneca St. in memory of Lloyd & Margaret WELLS and Joseph & Edna SIELA are appreciated; as are mass requests. Memorials may be addressed to Kayleen Fulcher @ P.O. Box 126, Geneseo, Il. 61254.                                                                                                                                                                        

 Service Information