Service Information
John “Zippy” Siewert, age 85, of Gaylord died unexpectedly Wednesday, January 8, 2020, at the Ridgeview Medical Center in Arlington.
Memorial Service will be Tuesday, January 14, 2020, 11:00 A.M. at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Gaylord.
Gathering of Family and Friends will be Monday, January 13, 2020, from 4:00 P.M.-8:00 P.M. at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Gaylord.
Military Honors by the Manthey-Asmus American Legion Post #433.
Obituary
John “Zippy” William Siewert was born on February 12, 1934, in Hamburg, Minnesota. He was the son of William and Agnes (Grochow) Siewert. John was baptized as an infant at home on February 12, 1934, and was later confirmed in his faith as a youth on March 21, 1948, at Emanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hamburg. He received his education in Gaylord and was a graduate of the Gaylord High School Class of 1952.
In 1954, John entered active military service in the United States Army and served as a cook. He was Honorably Discharged in 1956.
On April 29, 1956, John was united in marriage to Mavis Rowland at the United Church of Christ in Gaylord. After their marriage, the couple resided in rural Gaylord where he worked as a farmhand on his uncle’s farm. They moved into town and became lifelong residents. This union was blessed with two children, Kari and Todd. John then worked at the Farmers Union Co-op and then as a postal worker in Gaylord for 30 years, retiring as Postmaster in 1992. Ironically, his brother, Gene, was a veteran UPS driver. John and Mavis shared 63 years of marriage.
John was an active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, serving in a variety of roles at Immanuel, including chief potato grinder for the Men’s Club pancake breakfast. He was fond of singing with the church choir and as a soloist, along with being a member of the Immanuel Singers Quartet. He was an original member of the Sibley County Choral Society and was looking forward to their 40th season. As a member of the Manthey-Asmus American Legion Post #433 in Gaylord, he served on the Honor Guard. He will be remembered as an active member of Sertoma, both local and at the district level. John volunteered as a driver for Trailblazer Transit and most recently with the Sibley County Veterans Office. He also drove the Gaylord Hub to Hutchinson for its weekly printings, which gave him first dibs for fish photo ops in the Show and Tell corner of the paper. Over the last 25 years, he was involved with the Foot Stool Project for the Sibley County Kindergarten students.
Zippy enjoyed crafting in his recliner, lake fishing, tinkering with new Zippy inventions, ice fishing, making wooden nativity scenes, shore fishing, bowling, making fleece hats for student athletes, and oh, did we mention fishing?! He followed his Grandpa Siewert’s old adage of “all your time on water isn’t charged against your time on earth.” John cherished the time he spent with his family, especially his children and grandchildren. He was an avid ‘bleacher creature’ for many of their sporting and musical events. He also loved spending time with his first great-granddaughter ‘Owie’.
John died unexpectedly on Wednesday, January 8, 2020, at the Ridgeview Sibley Medical Center in Arlington at the age of 85 years. A life well lived in accordance with the words of Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control…” Blessed be his memory.
John is survived by his:
Wife, Mavis Siewert of Gaylord, MN;
Children, Kari Evans of Henderson, MN;
Todd Siewert and his husband, Bill Roehl of San Francisco, CA;
Grandchildren, Brian Evans and life partner, Kari Mosel of Seattle, WA; Marcus Evans and his significant other, Jewel Machulis of Gaylord, MN; and Erin (Evans) Arnst and her husband, Adam of Henderson, MN;
Great-granddaughter, Oren Elisabeth Arnst;
Sister-in-law, Lois Siewert of Hamburg, MN;
Nieces, Nephews, other relatives and friends.
John was preceded in death by his Parents, William and Agnes Siewert; Son-in-law, Duane Evans; Brother, Gene Siewert; and his stillborn twin sister.
Lori Turbett says
This is heartbreaking news. My deepest sympathies to all the family.
Ann Wendorff says
A beautiful life that ended so unexpectedly and sadly… you have my sincere sympathy….
Ann Heidmann-Wendorff
Mark Probst says
I was shocked to hear of Zippy’s passing. My sincere condolences to the entire family on his sudden and unexpected death. He was a wonderful Christian man and a good friend to all.
Gayla Rodning says
Thinking of you all!
Alisha And Darrell Berding says
Our prayers and thoughts are with John’s family,Our town has lost a wonderful caring person.He will truly be missed
Kathy Ulrich says
My sympathies to the family – I still remember the days when John was post master – prayers for peace!
Deb Stark says
Was he postmaster in Azle?
Ricci Peterman says
My heart goes out to your family. Zippy was one of those very special people. He made time to talk to everyone, even if just to hi. He made everyone feel special.
Ricci Peterman
Deb podratz says
He will truly be missed by all who knew him and cared about him. We are so blessed to have called him our friend. We spent many times fishing with him and memories of the many times I had the opportunity to sing with him for all of the years i did. We will miss his dearly and we will think of him and his great sense of humor often. Deb and Larry Podratz
Dana Anderson-Grams says
I am so heartbroken at Zippy’s passing. He was such a wonderful man. He sang at our last chapel before Christmas break and the Preschoolers were so excited because he unknowingly sang the song that they were working on for the Christmas program. I also remember the years of County Choir concerts that I attended for my parents and hearing his beautiful voice. My sincerest condolences to the whole family. Blessed be your memories.
Ebony says
I’m very saddened about this. John sure was a pillar to our community. I have so many memories with him when I was younger. My heart and prayers go out to his family! May you fly high and rest in happiness. Heaven is blessed to have you.
Dan Krueger says
I always remember his smile when going to the Post Office back in the 80s. God’s comfort to his family and friends.
Connie and Doug Quast says
We are so deeply sorry for your loss. John was a Gaylord icon and his passing will affect so many people in so many different ways. Blessed be his memory. May God’s rich grace and love surround you at this difficult time.
Scott Lindemann says
When I became Postmaster at Gaylord in 1980, I met John. I had to leave right away to work on zip + 4 and John ran the office. He was superb and took care of everything; including my pregnant wife Bobbie and daughter Karla. He was caring, kind, resourceful, and so well liked. I will never forget him. When I read that he had died, a little of me died too.
Sandy schow says
So sorry for your loss . John was a great guy. Heaven get ready. Rest In Peace John.
Bobette Schauer says
I remember him being the “attendance counter” when I directed the county choir. He was such a wonderful person. My sympathies to your family. God bless you all.
Kris Glaeser says
Our condolences. He was a wonderful person and this is heart breaking.
Eileen Lei Amorim says
We cannot understand the why, nor change it to the what if, we must just deal with the what is…which is truly the hardest of them all. John will be missed by the entire community, who was proud to call him one of our own. Thank God for the precious memories held in your hearts. May God blessings and love ease your loss during this most difficult time.
Larry Gasow says
Thoughts and prayers to all of Zippy’s family and dear friends. Zippy was the Gaylord Post Master and a master as a pillar of the community! He will truly be missed
Dan and Nancy Hislop says
We are thinking of your family and keeping you in our prayers.
Sandra Schlueter says
Our deepest sympathy to John’s family.
He was truly a good man that cared about everyone and his smile could brighten any day.
God gained a new angel for his choir.
Sandy and Glen Schlueter
Eileen Brandt says
I am sorry for all of us….this is terrible….to hear….what a pillar within the community of Gaylord. John taught me to spell SERTOMA….I was all excited about a group to help sponsor swimming lessons and quickly had a shirt made to say ASK ME ABOUT SERATOMA swimming lessons….rushed to the next 7 a.m. SERTOMA meeting and PRESIDENT JOHN pointed out after the meeting that I had spelled SERTOMA wrong….easy to remember when he told me….SERvice TO MAnkind…….JOHN lived this motto beautifully!
My other memory I need to share is a visual……when Kari and the 3 kids moved back to Gaylord, they went EVERYWHERE with Grandpa JOHN and GRANDMA Mavis……Grandpa JOHN pulled the red wagon with ERIN and MARCUS sitting in it and you walked hand in hand with Grandma Mavis….all over town…..those 5 went everywhere TOGETHER…and sometimes the roles reversed…..Grandma pulled ERIN and MARCUS in the wagon and Brian walked hand in hand with GRANDMA MAVIS!!!
Lorie Skaro-Johnson says
This is a devastating loss for Gaylord. My deepest sympathy to Mavis, Kari, Todd and the rest of the family.
Wanda Jean Siewert says
To Mavis, Kari and family and Todd and family you are all in my thought, prayers and a big hugs to all of you. John was an awesome singer for our wedding. Warren and I were so happy when he said yes. Sorry I wont be there in body but in spirit for all of you Love you all
Warren Stowell says
Linda and I were shocked and saddened to learn of Zippy’s death. We last saw him in October at the Sertoma convention in Aberdeen, SD. I met him about 24 years ago when he was our district governor. He was a kind and dedicated man who will be missed by us and many others.
Ben H. Holten says
Our hearts were broken upon hearing the news of John’s passing. He was such an encourager! John would help anyone who needed it. He will be missed so very much! He had such a deep passion for music, and I will never forget the solos he would sing in church. Above all he knew Jesus as his Lord and Savior. We know where he is! Dear family, may you find comfort in knowing that he is home, safe! We look forward to seeing our loved ones and the Lord when it is our time to go home. In the meantime, may we all use our gifts and talents to make a difference in this world. –Just like John. Blessed be his memory!
Tom and Sheila Reding says
Our hearts are heavy with the news of Zippy’s passing. How glad we are to have visited with him at Sertoma convention in Aberdeen SD in October. His quiet presence at Sertoma conventions and meetings will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Zippy’s family.
Pete Wentzel says
So sorry to hear of Zippy’s passing. We became friends thru Sertoma, and traveling together to conventions, especially whew we went
together to San Francisco. We truly will miss him.
My sympathy, Pete Wentzel
Dale Robinson says
My heartfelt condolences to Zippy’s family. We lost a great guy, a great Sertoman, and veteran who served in so many ways. He will be sorely missed.
Larry Finke says
I didn’t know my cousin John well. He entered the service the year I was born. But what I did know aligns with all the comments on this page. He was a special man not just for the things he did, but how he WAS. Would that we all had some of his spirit.
Gloria (Hendrycks) Conner says
I have been thinking of you and your family for the past several days. Praying that you will be filled with happy memories and surrounded by love. With warm thoughts. Gloria (Hendrycks) Conner
Todd Siewert says
Thank you all for your kind thoughts and prayers. Our family truly appreciates your support.