Evelyn “Evie” Ann Seifert
A life-long resident of Jordan, Evelyn Ann Seifert, age 96, went home to be with Jesus this Christmas and was greeted in heaven by her loving family, Saturday evening, December 20, 2014. Her faithful family surrounding her bedside at the Belle Plaine Lutheran Home. The family will greet guests on Friday, December 26, from 4-8 pm, at Ballard-Sunder Funeral and Cremation 104 West First Street, Jordan and also one hour prior to the Mass at church. The Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, December 27 at 11 am, at St. John the Baptist Church, 210 North Broadway, Jordan, MN. Father Timothy Yanta will preside. Pall bearers will be her grandchildren, Laurie Green, Mark Wolf, Jeff Seifert, Ryan Seifert, Darrin Seifert, Michael Seifert Jr., John Meyer and Brandon Borchardt. Evie will be laid to rest at the St. John Calvary Cemetery.
Gracing this world on Tuesday, November 12, 1918 on the family farm, in St. Patrick, MN, Evie was the third of seven children born to parents James and Helen (Hart) Ryan. As a young girl, she learned the true meaning of hard work growing up on the farm. Sunday afternoons were a special loading the family in the buggy and traveling to visit relatives. Evie graduated from St. Patrick’s school after the eighth grade and soon started working as a nanny and house keeper for a family in St. Paul, MN.
Attending the old time Sunday night dances at Spring Lake Pavillion, Evie met a handsome man named, Leonard J. Seifert. Their loved flourished and on March 26, 1939, in St. Paul, MN, they were married. Evie and Leonard were truly blessed with eight beautiful children, Kay, Janie, Jerry, John, Diane, Mike, Jim and Vonnie. Living in Jordan for a few years, they returned to the Seifert family farm after the passing of Leonard’s dad. Days were filled with hard work of the farm, but they still found time to have fun. Evie loved her pigs on the farm and was always present upon each piglet’s birth. Sunday afternoons were spent visiting relatives and enjoying fried chicken, fresh bread and pies. Evie taught each of her children how to dance around the kitchen table. It was this same table, they enjoyed sitting down and sharing a meal together.
On May 5, 1975, Evie’s life was altered forever, upon the tragic passing of her husband, Leonard. But through it all she persevered. In 1976, her loving family built her a new home in Jordan. Evie then began working as a cook for the school, were she became the special “Grams” to every child. Evie relished being a grandma. She never missed any of their sporting events and always had chocolate chip cookies or Special K Bars ready to be devoured. Evie enjoyed watching the Minnesota Twins, mending clothes and making hundreds of quilts for her family. She was proud of her Irish heritage and was most happy being surrounded by her family.
Evie will always be remembered for her hard work ethic and especially for her caring and giving personality. She loved to have fun, giggle and never left the house without her lipstick!
Left to honor Evie’s life and mourn the death is her children, Kay (Gil) Hartmann, Janie (Ermin) Wolf, Jerry (Carol) Seifert, John (Sue) Seifert, Diane (Dave) Kreye, Mike (Diane) Seifert, Vonnie (Randy) Borchardt; daughter-in-law, Karen Seifert; 29 grandchildren; 58 great-grandchildren; 5 great great-grandchildren; sister, Helen Pomije; sisters-in-law, Sylvia Ryan, Laura Ryan; other loving relatives and devoted friends.
Preceded in death and there to welcome Evie home into their arms, her husband, Leonard (May 5, 1975); son, Jim Seifert (August 15, 1999); grandson, Timothy Hartmann; parents; siblings, Loretta (Bill) Stanton, Robert (Margaret) Ryan, John (Dorothy) Ryan, Roland Ryan, Betty (Roland) Boegeman; and brother-in-law, Ralph Pomije.
Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home and Cremation, Jordan Chapel, proudly served and cared for the Seifert family. www.ballardsunderfuneral.com
