My grandmother, Daisy
Daily Siegfried died September 26, 1988, before
her 102nd birthday, November 2nd. She leaves
nearly 100 descendants with many fond memories
and a unique heritage.
We
know she had to have been devastated when her
beloved husband died suddenly over 62 years ago,
leaving her a widow at the age of 39. She was
left with four teenagers and a huge debt from a
farm they had purchased. Being a self-sufficient
and unselfish person, she obviously rebounded and
made her own way in life without complain. She
was the telephone operator at one time and then
for many years, the post mistress in (her) little
town of Ferris. I fondly remember addressing my
letters: Grandmother, Ferris, Illinois.
Her
family was her whole life. During those working
years, she mad the buttonholes in our garments.
They were beautifully done! She knit sweaters,
braided wool rugs, made quilts, rag rugs on her
loom, stuffed toys and numerous other items for
members of her family.
While
in college, I received a hand-knit sweater -
there were no buttons in her little town, and she
wanted to get it in the mail. Being an innovative
person and not wanting to be demanding of others,
she mad buttons from the handle of a broom - well
sanded and varnished - enclosed a note that I
should buy what I wanted. I wouldn't have traded
those button for any in the world - I still have
that well worn sweater in my cedar chest.
Her
children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren
have memories of many Christmases with hand made
gifts for all. During early retirement, they were
often of wood - she loved her saw and was most
creative. Many were miniature replicas of
furniture, very exacting and with intricate
detail. Extra special were ladder back chairs
with cane bottoms like those her
great-grandfather brought west by covered wagon
prior to 1812. Many people asked about purchasing
doll furniture she had made, but she was not a
greedy person and would prefer to give them to
her family.
Her
great-grandchildren will remember each having a
turn at choosing a quilt top from many she wold
have stacked onher upstairs bed. In later years,
she turned to the easy to handle double knits - I
wonder how many yards and garments she cut into
small pieces and sewed into tied throws and lap
robes? We all have many - often one shows up in
our granddaughter, LeAnne's snapshots as she
spent many happy hours of her infancy laying or
sitting on one while at play.
Life
became frustrating after Grandmother could no
longer keep herself busy. Her own words to me as
she sat at her treadle sewing machine in
September, 1987 were, "It's hard to
accomplish anything when I'm so shaky and can't
half see." Her hearing was gone, but she did
see - and without glasses. She made a small throw
while at home a few days in May of this year. She
remained quite alert and could care for most of
her personal needs.
The
last few months were frustrating for all. She was
more demanding and often angry and expressed it
in a stern manner, very much aware of her
surroundings, but at other times with a quick
answer and a twinkle in in her eyes. We will soon
forget these months, but we will always remember
her unselfish love and concern for her family,
the examples she set in her daily life, the
humble life she lived - always working
tirelessly; and, most of all, the beautiful
prayers she gave at family gatherings. The last
of these prayers was at her 100th birthday open
house - it was said unfalteringly and with a
clear voice that could be heard by all.
Yes,
she was a remarkable woman. She had lived her
life with dignity and she died that Monday
afternoon with dignity, my mother at her side.
She was buried in her wedding dress which she had
made - a beautiful person.
Unfortunately,
most of her great-great-grandchildren will not
have memories of her, but a great-grandson
expressed it well: "For every stitch
Grandmother sewed and for every nail she pounded,
there is a loving memory of her in the hearts of
her children, grandchildren and
great-grandchildren.
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