RUTH SIEH

Funeral service for Ruth Edna Wagner was held Friday, August 31 at the United Church of Christ in Fairfax. Interment followed at the Highland Cemetery, Fairfax.

Ruth Edna Sieh was born February 18, 1936 to Harold Sieh and Edna (Fuhrman) Sieh in Burke. She died August 24, 2018 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls.

She attended Herrick Public School and Burke Community School graduating in 1954. Following in her mother’s footsteps she attended the University of South Dakota-Springfield, attaining a 1-year teaching certificate. Ruth married Harry “Mick” R. Wagner on March 31, 1956. Harry and Ruth established their home on the Wagner Farmstead, where she still resided; living in the sod house Harry’s grandfather had originally built in 1890. To this union two children were born: Nancy (1957) and David (1961).

Following the death of her husband, she sold her cattle and went to work for the Green Thumb program at the Fairfax School. In 1995, she began employment with the Fairfax Public School as a Teachers Aid. Her greatest fulfillment, which she often spoke of, was the children she helped with special needs.

Ruth was an active member of her Church and community. In 1964, she became a member of the Fairfax United Church of Christ Parish, serving as the Sunday School Superintendent and teaching Sunday School for many years; she became the church custodian in 1966, and later the Church Secretary in 1977, both positions she still held.

Ruth was a member of the Pike Burke Post # 187 Legion Auxillary since 1959 and was currently its Secretary. She just recently joined the Bonesteel Woman’s Club.

Ruth is survived by her daughter Nancy (Dave) Carda, Oakes, ND, Lori Wagner, Brookings; brothers and sisters: Don (Connie) Sieh Prescott, AZ, Judy Sieh, Valeljo, CA, Charles (Nancy) Sieh Burke, Lois Holmberg, Gregory; grandchildren: Megan Carda, Moorhead, MN, Nathan (Loni) Carda Oakes, ND, Sarah (Carl) Rodenborn, Brookings; great grandchildren: Hallie and Archer Oakes, ND, and Jacob, Brookings; sister in-law Dorothy Coffey Columbus NE, aunt and uncles: Lydia Cahoy Scottsbluff, NE, Claus (Junior) and Norma Sieh, New Ulm, MN, as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents: Harold and Edna Sieh, husband Harry and son David; brothers-in-law: Norman, Marvin, Larry, Irwin, Emil and John; sisters-in-law: Evelyn, Lillian and Betty.