Obituary of Viola M Siegler

Viola Marie Newcomb Siegler passed away peacefully on January 17, 2017 – just one day shy of her 97th birthday. She was born January 18, 1920 to William and Maggie (Fonferek) Newcomb in Iron County, Michigan. Viola married Robert H. Siegler on February 8, 1937 and raised three sons (Robert, Francis and Bruce) with him. She, her husband and sons lived in various places throughout the Midwest but Vi called Lakewood, WI home. Vi learned to drive in her 30’s and went to nursing school shortly after where she became a licensed practical nurse. She worked at a psychiatric hospital where she received many commendations. She became a licensed EMT in her 60’s and worked as a volunteer EMT in Lakewood, WI. She was a born caregiver – always wanting to help others. Vi was also fiercely independent. Vi loved to cook and bake. She was famous for her cinnamon rolls and bread as well as for her cookies and cakes. She was also infamous for trying to hide ground up nuts in her cookies and giving them to her grandchildren who weren’t especially fond of nuts! (They ate them anyway!) She also loved to play cards and was luckier than most at Bingo and at the penny slots. She was a faithful lottery player and kept a running list of who she would give her lottery winnings to. (Her own name never appeared on the list.) Vi was initially a Milwaukee Braves fan until they moved to Atlanta. At that point she became an avid Chicago Cubs fan. She knew all of the players, coaches, statistics and trivia and watched every single game. She was beyond thrilled to see them finally win the World Series in 2016. Vi was an active member of the Lioness Club and the Catholic Daughters of the Americas. She was a Eucharistic Minister. Vi loved her three sons but always longed for a daughter. So her daughters-in-law became very special to her. She became the grandmother of nine (including five granddaughters) and the great-grandmother of 14. She also had one great-great granddaughter. Vi is survived by two of her sons – Francis Siegler of Farmington, MN and Bruce Siegler of Moline, IL. She is also survived by her daughter-in-law Phoebe Siegler (Robert) of Middletown, CT; her brother Michael Newcomb of Jefferson, WI; eight of her grandchildren and her great and great-great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband Robert; her son Robert; her brothers Wesley, George and Leo as well as her sisters Anna and Gladys. She is also preceded in death by her daughter-in-law Roselee (Francis) and her grandson Michael. The family will gather in the spring for a graveside service in Lakewood, WI where Vi will be laid to rest next to her husband.