Emil E. Siewert

Funeral Services for Emil Siewert, 95, of Gregory, were held on Thursday, September 22, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at the Grace Lutheran Church in Burke, SD with Pastor Fred G. Schurman officiating. A visitation was held on Wednesday evening, September 21 at 6:00 p.m. at Kotrba Funeral Home in Gregory.

Music was provided by congregational hymns and Randy Sachtjen, organist.

Tanya Horst was in charge of registration.

Casket bearers were John Vosika, Rick Boyer, Melvin Matucha, Dan Vavra, Michael Borszich, and Ivan Vosika.

Interment was in the Graceland Cemetery in Burke, SD.

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Emil E. Siewert was born in Herrick, SD on April 29, 1916. He was the second of five children born to the family of Fredrick and Christina (Fischer) Siewert.

Emil and Violet Meyers of Lucas, SD were married June 9, 1940. They acquired the homestead in 1946 from his father, Fred Siewert, raising a family of 3 sons, Terry, James and Dennis, and one daughter Karen.

Emil and friends built the home currently located on the property in the year 1951. The family made their living off the crops they raised, from the huge garden Violet tended, and from the chickens, ducks and cattle that they raised.

Emil's passion was looking after his cattle. He loved looking after his livestock which he had up into his 70's.

After the passing of his wife Violet in 1990, and with the encouragement of his daughter, due to hardly any neighbors being in the area, Emil purchased a home in the city of Gregory in June of 2001 and remained their until December of 2010 when he decided his health was not good enough to live alone.

Another passion of his was listening to Big Joe's Polka Show. Emil was quite the polka dancer in his day. He also enjoyed going fishing with his grandson, Jake and his family. We believe the great grandchildren, Codi and Jayden, kept Emil youthful. They would stop by after school to see him prior to heading home, or Emil would go and visit them.

Emil is survived by one brother Loren of Winner, SD; sons Terry, Jim and Dennis, daughter Karen, five grandchildren, Yvonne, Lynette, Janet, Jade and Stacy and ten great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and other relatives.