Edith Siegel 1939 – 2023

Edith Siegel, 84, passed away on October 8, 2023 at her home in Sebeka in the company of family and the gentle care of Hospice of the Red River Valley. A gathering of family and friends will be held on Saturday, October 21, 2023, from 3-5 p.m. at the Sebeka Event Center, 100 Frontage Road, in Sebeka, Minnesota. A private family interment will take place at Greenwood Cemetery in Park Rapids, Minnesota. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial to Hospice of the Red River Valley.
She was born April 18, 1939 to Walfred and Ruby (Johnson) Hietala in Blowers Township, Ottertail County, rural Sebeka, Minnesota. She was baptized and confirmed in the Apostolic Lutheran Church in New York Mills, Minnesota. She grew up on the family farm west of Sebeka and attended school in Sebeka. As a young woman, she worked as a mother’s helper and at Keys.
On August 31, 1956 she married John William “Bill” Plummer of Park Rapids. They settled on a farm south of Osage, Minnesota where they raised five children. In addition to the work of a home and family she also worked for the USDA Expanded Nutrition program teaching budgeting and nutrition. In 1972 they purchase the Wolf Lake Garage and Hardware and the family relocated to Wolf Lake, Minnesota. She ran the business for a short time after Bill passed away but moved to Menahga in 1978. At that time, she attended Wadena Vocational Technical Institute earning a degree in auto parts sales. She then went on to work for Napa in Menahga and Sebeka as well as Big A Auto Parts in Wadena.
She got reacquainted with a high school classmate, Jerry Siegel, and they married on July 4, 1980, and Jerry’s three children joined the family. She continued her work experience at Salo Manufacturing, Ernie’s Market, sold Sarah Coventry jewelry, and did custom sewing and alterations. She also worked in the craft markets with her business, Siegel of Sebeka.
Edith loved dancing and music. She and Jerry began married life active in the local square dance group then began attending polka dances throughout the state and beyond. Eventually they started their polka DJ service and entertained at many area senior living facilities. She enjoyed learning to play the button box accordion. She also enjoyed reading, carving and gardening. She was a member of the Sebeka American Legion Auxiliary and the Menahga VFW Auxiliary.
Edith was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband, her brothers Richard and Clarence and a great-granddaughter, Elizabeth.
Edith is survived by her husband, Jerry; her children: Mary (Larry) Harvala, Linda (Steve) Peterson, William (Pam) Plummer, Walter (Barb) Plummer and Leigh (Pete) Jones; Jerry’s children: Wade Siegel, Peggy (Steve) Eklund, and Corey Siegel; 16 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Viola Barten, and her brothers: Sidney, Arnold, Harvey, Marvin and Ronald Hietala and her sister-in-law Jeri (Hietala) Jacobson.
Arrangements provided by Karvonen Funeral & Cremation Service of Wadena, Minnesota. Please visit www.karvonenfuneralhome.com to send Edith’s family a message of comfort and support.10-11c