Loyal Glenn Siedenburg

Loyal Glenn Siedenburg, 94. rural Mt. Carroll, Illinois, died Friday, Dec. 26, 2008, at Carroll County Good Samaritan Center. He had been under the compassionate care of his family and FHN Hospice for just over two months.Loyal was born on Dec. 21, 1914, to William Henry and Ida Mae (Douglas) Siedenburg at the family home near Lanark. At two years of age, his family moved to the Riley Douglas farm southeast of Savanna; when he was 13, they moved across the road to the place that would remain his home until his marriage.His schooling began at Excelsior School in 1920 and continued at Savanna High School, where he graduated in June of 1932. He later took courses at Highland Community College in mower repair and guitar. His education led to a life-long love of reading, writing, and wrangling with words both new and old.During his school years, Loyal pedaled milk, cream, eggs, and sweet corn to Savanna housewives with a Model T Ford, and worked with his dad and younger brother, Alvin, running the 68-acre family farm. After high school graduation, he found work at a dollar a day–sometimes making as high as $4–laying stone walls in Savanna, clearing trees for the pools for dams on the Mississippi River, or helping farmers.Later he took a job in Rockford at a factory making airplane parts for World War II. He described many of his life experiences, including his growing-up years, in his Comin' Thru the Rye column that ran weekly in the Northwest Illinois Farmer for almost 20 years.On Oct. 12, 1940, he married Mildred Elaine Cave at her mother's home near Leaf River. As a farmer, he was exempted from military service since food would "win the war and write the peace." They raised five children at their farm home north of Mt. Carroll in Woodland Township. After their house burned in 1958, Loyal took outside jobs to supplement farm income while Mildred taught school.Loyal was active in the United Brethren Church all his life, beginning and ending at Center Hill United Brethren, with many years at Woodland United Brethren, both in rural Mt. Carroll. He was also a member of Farm Bureau and Home Community Education.He lived up to his name, being loyal and faithful in every aspect of his life. Loyal's sense of humor and welcoming smile helped him make friends easily. His favorite activities included fishing, singing, and pitching horseshoes.Loyal and Mildred recently observed their 68th anniversary at home.Loyal was preceded in death by his brother, Alvin Siedenburg; sisters-in-law Gladys Siedenburg, Virginia Siedenburg, and Marie Cave Van Brocklin; and brother-in-law, Leo Van Brocklin.Survivors include his wife Mildred, Mt. Carroll; children: Delight Howes and husband Dave, Wabash, Ind.; Robert Siedenburg and wife Mary, Champaign; Richard Siedenburg and wife Cathy, rural Savanna; Joy Schafer and husband Randy, Haxtun, Colo.; and Merry Epperly and husband Roger, Unionville, Mo.; grandchildren: Joseph Siedenburg and wife Heather, Urbana; Amy Hanon and husband Bruce, Lake Havasu City, Ariz.; Jolene Friedmann, Guttenburg, Iowa; Naomi Schafer, Roswell, N.M.; and Joshua Schafer, Greeley, Colo.; great-grandchildren: Diana and James Siedenburg, Urbana; Nate Hanon, Lake Havasu City, Ariz.; and Colby and Bella Friedmann, Guttenburg, Iowa; brothers Paul Siedenburg and wife Minnette, Des Moines, Iowa, and George Siedenburg and wife Marion, Savanna; and many nieces and nephews.A memorial service will be held to celebrate Loyal's life at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 30, at the Church of God, Mt. Carroll, with Pastor Floyd West officiating. A family burial service will be held earlier at the Center Hill Cemetery. Visitation is set for 5-7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 29, at the Frank-Law-Jones Funeral Home, Mt. Carroll.In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts made be made to FHN Hospice and to United Brethren Global Missions.