Anthony “Tony” Steven Sieben passed away November 4, 2007 at Vulcan Community Health Centre at the age of 85 years.
Tony was born May 2, 1923 at South Rosenheim, Alberta to Lorenz and Anna Sieben. Tony grew up on the family farm doing what all farm boys did at that time; milking cows, feeding pigs, walking to school and being mischievous. As he grew older, money was not plentiful so Tony and Jake Coleman rode the rails looking for work on threshing crews. Tony was drafted into the army in 1944 and he was trained to work with explosives. He was not sent overseas as the war had ended before his training was completed. While he was in the army, Tony was courting Katie Schamber. On October 26, 1946 Tony and Katie were united in marriage. Tony worked on the family farm until 1949 when Tony and Katie along with Tony’s brother Jack, purchased a farm north of Permukan. In 1969 the farm was sold and the family moved to Chilliwack, B.C. Tony’s life change drastically after leaving the farm. He took a job at Fraser Vale Food Processing Plant as a linesman and then moved onto a five star hotel to clean carpets at Harrison Hot Springs. Tony and Katie took up square dancing and made many life long friends. In 1981 they moved back to Alberta to be closer to family. Tony retired full time and he and Katie bowled, played cards and travelled. Katie passed away in 1990 from cancer. In 1991 Tony renewed a friendship with an old friend, Mary Liebel and they were married on October 12, 1991. He moved to Medicine Hat where Mary lived. Tony and Mary spent their time bowling, fishing, visiting children on both sides and travelling. Mary passed away in the fall of 2003. In 2005 Tony moved to the Peter Dawson Lodge Apartments in Vulcan and resided there until his passing.
Tony was a man of many talents and could fix or repair almost anything. His memory was extraordinary. Tony could remember birthdays, jokes, events and do figures in his head that would put most people to shame. Fall was his favourite season and he spend many hours taking nature walks. Tony modelled a high moral standard of being honest, truthful and respectful of others. He expected his children to uphold the same standards and to pass these characteristics on to the next generation. Grandpa Tony loved his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren in a quiet silent way. Tony was not afraid of change and did not find it difficult to downsize his possessions to meet the next phase of his life. During all his challenges Tony never lost his faith in God and would attend mass wherever and whenever he could.
Loving father of ten children Delores (John) Long of Winnipeg, Florianna (Ivan) Orff of Bracebridge, ON, Richard of Elkford, BC, Gloria (Neil) Nelson of Veteran, Leitha Drew (Quentin Brown) of Calgary, Rose (John) Fisher of Calgary, Darlene (Peter) Carlson of Vulcan, Patrick (Rhona) of Rosedale,BC, Patricia Sieben (Peter Mraz) of Calgary, and Neil (Julie) of Raymond. Seventeen grandchildren Sarah Dann, Jordan Long, Brant Sieben, Leanne Carfantan, Lynette Nelson, Jason Drew, Keith Drew, Jack Fisher, Alandra Fisher,John Carlson, Devon Carlson, Katherine Mraz, Dana Mraz, Morgan Sieben, Anthony Sieben, Owen Sieben, Leah Sieben and four great grandchildren. Four step-children Reg (Tillie) Liebel of Medicine Hat, Maureen (Steve) Knox of Calgary, Greg (Brenda) Liebel of Pegion Lake, Melvin (Laura) Liebel of Innisfail and eleven step-grandchildren. Two sisters-in-law Nila Sieben of Calgary, Mildred Sieben of Chilliwack, BC and numerous nieces and nephews.
Tony was predeceased by Katherine Sieben in 1990, Mary Liebel Sieben in 2002, three grandchildren Heath Sieben, Tyson Sieben and Paul Mraz, four brothers Jack, Peter, Joe and Ralph, two sisters Martha and Mary and his parents.
Funeral Mass Friday, November 9, 2007 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church at Vulcan with Rev. Fr. Philip Van Tinh Le celebrant..
Private family inurement at Mountain View Cemetery, Lethbridge.
In lieu of flowers, tributes in Tony’s memory can be made to Vulcan Senior Citizen Centre, Box 36, Vulcan, AB T0L 2B0
Arrangements in care of Vulcan Funeral Home. Directors. Telephone 1-403-485-2633. E-mail condolences to vulcanfuneralhome@hotmail.com.