Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
Marshall Cohen—researcher and producer, CNN
Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
SIEGERT, Eugene J.
SIEGERT, Eugene J. (Dubuque, IA, Apr, 7, 1929--Dubuque, IA, Jan. 17, 2017) The son of Edmund and Marlene (Ashworth) Siegert, Eugene graduated from LORAS ACADEMY in 1947, attended LORAS COLLEGE, and graduated from the College of Mortuary Science in St. Louis, Missouri in 1950. On May 9, 1953, Gene married Marilyn “Jayne” Frohs at the CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY.
Eugene's interest in the funeral service began with his grandfather, James Ashworth, who co-founded Bennett & Ashworth Funeral Home located on Seventh and Bluff streets. Gene would frequently help his grandfather and years later took over the business, which became the SIEGERT'S FUNERAL HOME. In 1978 he established the current location on JFK Road. Another branch had existed on North Grandview before the property was sold to FINLEY HOSPITAL (THE).
For over sixty years, he was dedicated to the funeral industry. He served as past President of the Iowa Funeral Directors Association and three terms as the governor’s appointee to the Iowa Board of Mortuary Examiners. He was a member of the National Funeral Directors Association and the Dubuque County Funeral Directors Association. He was among the first responders to assist in the disaster of United Flight 232 on July 19, 1989, in Sioux City, IA. He received a certificate of recognition from Governor Terry Branstad for outstanding service following the tragedy.
Eugene was a veteran of the Korean Conflict serving in the US Air Force Strategic Air Command from 1951 to 1955. He was a member and Past Commander of the American Legion Post #6 of Dubuque and a strong advocate for our veterans and their well-being. He served as a commissioner with the Dubuque County Veteran Affairs Commission for three decades, serving as chairman on numerous occasions.
He was a licensed pilot, member and past president of the Flying Funeral Directors of America, the Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association, and the Experimental Aircraft Association.
He was an active member of Resurrection parish, having served on the parish council and as a Eucharistic Minister and lector. He was also a member of Dubuque Council 510 Knights of Columbus – Dubourg Assembly Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, the Dubuque Serra Club, La Society 40 et 8 Locale No. 632, past member of Thunder Hills Golf & Country Club, and Dubuque Squires Club.
---
Source:
Obituaries. Telegraph Herald, January 20, 2017. Online: http://www.telegraphherald.com/obituaries/article_f195940b-a7de-59b9-aeb3-8bca23768294.html