Regarding Lela and George Cota, who were very good friends of Uncle Jim and Aunt Ella Metcalfe. Somewhere in the depth of my memories I seem to recall their presence at anniversary parties for Uncle Jim and Aunt Ella. Hey cousins Geri & Gary, were the Cota’s (witnesses) present the day your parents were married in 1934?
I also know George Cota grew up on the farm stead, later occupied by Emil and Genevieve Morin. George Cota’s maternal uncle was married to the paternal (Metcalfe) cousin of Uncle Jim and my Dad. The Keeler’s, lived somewhere north of the William and Rose Metcalfe farm….. east of the Cota farm.
Neighbors; George’s adopted sister, Carroll Carlson’s sister, and our Aunt Leona were noted horsewomen as teens.
George and Lela were solid, generous and true steadfast friends of many hill folk and active in church activities.
The Medlang twins were also from the hills,north of Rendahl or south of Little Prairie. They were cousins to Odin Medlang and Mrs.Kavali.
Ingolf, a quiet,shy, unassuming bachelor was very active at Peace Lutheran Church. He’d be the guy cleaning,shoveling, vacuuming and putting things in proper places after church or funerals or weddings. He wasn’t afraid to pick up a dishtowel if needed. I think he might have served as treasurer. He was one of those folks who was sometimes overlooked but a sincere, true blue, solid citizen.
Thanks. I’ll hush up now. Vickie
Folks, I know many of you knew Banks Sieber. He was the Bottineau County Agent for many years. I remember when I was a kid, Banks and his wife stopped at our place for a visit when they were out for a Sunday drive. It wasn’t just one of those quick visits either. Banks was an Icon, so that was a special treat. He made good on our dad’s offer to stop in for a visit if he was ever in the area. Gary
Banks Harold Sieber • 1920- 2009
Banks Harold Sieber (88) passed away on October 9, 2009 at Trinity Nursing Home in Minot, ND.
He was born on November 17, 1920 on the family farm SW of Wolford, ND to Banks J. Sieber and Helen (McNitt) Sieber. He attended Wolford Public School and graduated from NDSU with a BS in Agriculture in 1942.
Following college he entered the US Army and served in the European theater for nearly two years receiving an Honorary Discharge on November 11, 1945. On May 22, 1945 he married Evelyn L. Sanderson of Willow City in the Presbyterian Church in Texas where he was stationed. Banks and Evelyn returned to North Dakota after his discharge from the service, to live in Center, ND where he began his career as a County Extension Agent. His career continued in Sheridan County and eventually Bottineau County, where they spent the majority of their life raising four children. He retired August 30th, 1980 after thirty-five years of service.
Banks was active in many community activities and service groups throughout his entire lifetime. He was most proud of the 4-H, Tractor Safety School and Homemakers programs where he was able to shape many young peoples’ lives. He continued to work after retirement with the Bottineau County Weed Board, ND-Manitoba Zero Till Association, the Bottineau Chamber of Commerce and as an independent farm management consultant. In 2007 he was inducted into the ND Agriculture Hall of Fame where he was recognized for his dedicated career with such outstanding accomplishments as organizing the rural water and telephone services. Banks and Evelyn moved to Minot in 1997 where Banks stayed active with the County Weed Board and Golden Kiwanis.
Banks will be remembered not only for his contributions to agriculture but for his friendship and humor which resulted in many lifelong friendships. He and Evelyn enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and were fortunate enough to have visited a number of foreign countries. One of his favorite quotes that depicts his character came from Theodore Roosevelt, “What a man does for himself dies with him. What a man does for his community lives forever”. He enjoyed traveling, reading, watching sports, visiting and keeping up with friends and family from across the country.
Survivors include his wife Evelyn of 65 years, sons Dennis (Jan) Sieber of Bismarck, Byron Sieber of Fargo/Grand Forks, and daughter Elaine (Bob) Anderson of Cedar Hills, Texas, grandchildren Tracy (Jack) Garza, Scott Sieber, Elizabeth Anderson, Erika Anderson, Matthew Anderson, and Benjamin Sieber, Great grandson Ryland Garza, Sister Maxine Strand of Rugby, and sister-in-law Helen Sieber of Pennsylvania and many nieces and nephews.
Banks was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Loretta Sieber, daughter-in-law Karen Sieber, brother Robert Sieber and sister Margret Braaten.
Funeral Service: Tuesday, October 13, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at Vincent United Methodist Church, 1024 2nd St. SE, Minot, ND .
Visitation: Monday, October 12, 2009, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.
Internment: Wednesday, October 14, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. at the North Dakota Veteran’s Cemetery in Mandan, ND.
Those wishing to sign the online guest register or share memories of Banks, may access the online obituaries at www.thompsonlarson.com
In lieu of flowers memorials are requested by family to go to the North Dakota 4-H Foundations, NDSU Dept. 7280, P.O. Box 6050 Fargo, ND 58108-6050.
