Mary Sibell

Mary E. Sibell died on Friday afternoon, Nov. 6, 2020 at the Galeon in Osakis at the age of 88 years.

Mary Elizabeth Sibell was the daughter of Joseph and Mary (Nikola) Seifert and was born on October 1, 1932 in Princeton, MN.  She was one of five children and was baptized at St. Edward Church in Princeton.  In 1935, Mary’s father passed away and the children were sent to the St. Cloud Orphanage.  Mary lived there from 1936 until 1938 when at the age of six she went to live on a farm by Nelson, MN with John and Mary Reintjes.  She was adopted officially by them in 1939.  Mary attended Dist. 40 Country School in Belle River Township through the eighth grade.  Over the years of being neighbors, Mary got to know Reuben Sibell and they were later united in marriage on August 16, 1949 at the Courthouse in Alexandria, MN.  Eight children were born to this union, Gene, Steven, David, Allen, Russell, June, Carol and Kathryn. They dairy farmed north of Osakis for many years. In addition to raising her children and helping run the farm, Mary was also a certified nursing assistant and worked with the elderly at the Bethany Home in Alexandria and the Community Memorial Home in Osakis.  As a woman of deep faith, Mary was a dedicated member of the Fahlun Lutheran Church and served with the Ladies Aide. She loved to read and later in life listened to books on tape, especially her Bible on tape every day.  She also enjoyed listening to music. Mary loved her family, especially her grand and great grandchildren.  She always had a keen mind and a twinkle in her eye.  She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Mary is survived by her husband of 71 years, Reuben Sibell of Osakis; her children, David (Kathy) Sibell of Glenwood, Allen (Sara) Sibell of Osakis, Russell Sibell of Frederick, CO, June (Tim) Fleck of Sturgis, SD, Carol Evert of Alexandria; 8 grandchildren, Mandy (Colten) Steidl, Jenny Sibell, Branden (Hannah) Sibell, Neil Sibell, Chris (Candra) Sibell, Adam Sibell, Paul (Nicolle) Schlosser, Jody Schlosser; and 9 great grandchildren; her siblings, Beverly Meyer of New Prague and Joe Seifert of WA; daughters-in-law, Jan Sibell and Lynn Sibell; many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her birth parents and adoptive parents, her sons, Gene and Steven Sibell and a daughter, Kathryn Sibell; a grandson, Joseph Schlosser and her siblings, Lois Osterdahl and Francis ‘Buddy’ Seifert

A visitation will be held on Tuesday evening Nov. 10 from 5 – 7 pm at the Roy-Hetland Funeral Home in Osakis.  After a private family service, a public burial service will take place in the Fahlun Lutheran Church Cemetery at 11:30 am on Wednesday, Nov. 11, with active casket bearers being her grandchildren.  A reception will follow at the Osakis VFW Post #7902 beginning at 12:00 pm.

Memories and condolences may also be left for Mary under her Tribute page at www.royhetland.com

Arrangements by Roy-Hetland Funeral Home, Osakis, MN