Donald G. Siems

DONALD SIEMS , age 81, of Waseca died on Wednesday, July 24, 2013 at his home in Waseca.

Mr. Siems was born to George and Irene (Rooker) Siems on Aug. 12, 1931 in Silver Lake Township, Martin County, MN.  He attended rural school through the 8th grade and graduated from Fairmont High School in 1949.  He served two years in the Army and Air Force with one year of duty in Korea. He was discharged on Oct 9, 1954.  Donald married Alice Jeanne McGrew on Nov. 14, 1954 in Garden City, MN. He then attended Mankato State University where he obtained a BS degree in Education (Industrial Arts & World Geography).  He taught in Grand Junction, CO, Ft. Dodge, IA and Waseca, MN where he retired in 1993 after 34 years of teaching.  After retiring from teaching he worked for Educational Technologies, Inc. of Minneapolis, selling equipment to colleges, universities and technical schools. Donald was a member of and President (1991-1992) of the Minnesota Technology Assn.  He was a member of the Evangelical United Methodist Church where he had served on several boards and committees.  He also served on several Minnesota Department of Education committees.  Donald served on the FarmAmerica advisory committee where his main interest was in the Meriden Blacksmith Shop. He also served on several committees for the ITEA.  He was part of the International Technology Education Assoc. planning committee that planned the 1992 international conference held in Minneapolis.

He enjoyed family, genealogy research, travel, cruising, photography, computers, metalworking, woodworking, church work and bowling.

He is survived by his wife, Alice of Waseca; daughters and their husbands, Deborah & Shabbir Shamsuddin of Yorkville, IL, Gwendolyn & Michael Stephens of Minnetonka, Flavia & Lowell Berg of Faribault, and Cynthia & Michael Coy of New Richland; one son, Gregory and his wife Shelly of St. Paul, eleven grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren survive him. Survivors also include brothers, Melvin of St. Cloud, Robert of Fairmont; and sister, Mary (Clarence) Maunu of Hopkins.  He was preceded in death by his parents.

He may be quoted as saying, “Don’t grieve for me.  I lived a long life with few regrets.  I wasn’t rich, but money isn’t everything. I wasn’t famous, but I was happy, and I always enjoyed my family and my job.”

Memorials may be given to the Mayo Cancer Fund.

Visitation will be held at Dennis Funeral & Cremation Services in Waseca on Friday, July 26, 2013 from 4-8 PM and continue on Saturday, one hour before services at the church.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 27, 2013 at 1:00 PM at the First Congregational Church in Waseca with Rev. Chris Meirose officiating.  Private burial will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.Â