Omer Sieben

Omer J. Sieben, age 90, of Melrose died peacefully on Friday, July 17, 2009, at the Pine Villa Care Center in Melrose.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 22 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose with Father Ken Thielman officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery with military honors by the Melrose Veterans Honor Guard.

Friends may call from 4 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. Melrose Veterans Honor Guard will pray at 7 p.m. followed by parish prayers at 8 p.m. Tuesday evening.

Omer James Sieben was born October 24, 1918, in New Munich. He was the eldest son of Aloys and Anna (Wheeling) Sieben. The family moved to Melrose shortly after his birth. He attended St. Boniface Elementary School and graduated from Melrose High School where he was a three sport athlete. He went on to St. John's University where he received his Bachelor of Arts Degree. He was a three year letterman in football and played on the 1938 Johnnie championship team.Omer married Clara Lembeck on July 22, 1939. He began teaching and coaching career in Salem, South Dakota after his graduation in 1940. In 1944, he entered the U.S. Navy and served until 1946 when he accepted a teaching and coaching job in Melrose. He became a very successful football coach from 1946 to 1961 having seven undefeated teams during that period. He later was inducted into the Minnesota Football Coach's Hall of Fame. In 1957, he received his Masters of Arts in School Administration from the University of Minnesota. He was a teacher, coach, school counselor and athletic director at the Melrose High School for 36 years, retiring in 1981. In recognition for his contributions to Melrose athletics the school board named the football stadium, Omer Sieben Field.He and Clara spent many winters in Sun City, Arizona. Omer's hobbies included golf, bowling and watching the Twins, Vikings and Timberwolves on television. He also enjoyed attending many local sporting events where his grandchildren were involved.Omer was a member of the St. Mary's Catholic Church where he served as usher, lector, and school board member. He was Past Grand Knight for Council #1633 of the Knights of Columbus. He served on the Melrose City Council for ten years and was a charter member of the Meadowlark Country Club. Omer served many offices in the American Legion Post #101 including Past Commander and Post Chaplin for many, many years.

He is survived by his six children, David (Bernie) Sieben of Melrose, Pam (Marv) Hartung of Bloomington, Dr. Russ (Mary Jane) Sieben of Melrose, Maxine Sieben of Anchorage, AK, Nona (Gary) Gibson of Burnsville and Kevin Sieben of Melrose. He is also survived by 15 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter. His surviving sisters are Vera (Leonard) Kirstein of Burnsville and Mary Ann Brus of Tyler.

Omer was preceded in death by his parents, Aloys and Anna; wife, Clara; brother, Cyril; and brother-in-law, Bud Brus.

Serving as casket bearers will be Mike Sieben, Ben Sieben, Chris Sieben, Pat Sieben, Tim Gibson, Brian Gibson, Amanda Deters and Jim Sieben. Kelly Carlson will be the cross bearer and Nancy Conlin will be the scripture bearer. Nory Gibson and Stacey Sieben will be the flower bearers. The Readers will be Lynn Larson and Karen Backes. Sheila Lungstrom will read the petitions. Gift bearers will be Pam Hartung, Maxine Sieben and Nona Gibson. Honorary bearers will be John Raeker, Elmer Schoenecker, Bernard Schad, Ed Zins, Don Layton, Jim Ricklick, Fran Hertzog, Ed Schulzetenberg, Richard Egan, Anthony Imdieke, James Meyer, Patrick Gallagher, Ernie Bergeron, Randy Pieper and Virgil Hoppe.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.