03/02/2021

Obituary for Lois Ann Siferd

Former Owner of Siferd Funeral Home (now Eley Funeral Home & Crematory)

Lois Ann Siferd, 97, of Wapakoneta, died Sat. evening, Jan. 30, 2021, at The Greens, Lima. She was born Nov. 27, 1923, in New Bremen, OH, the daughter of Frank F. & Paula E. (Vogelsang) Quellhorst, who preceded her in death. On August 14, 1948, she married Charles D. Siferd, and he died June 15, 1993.

Survivors include five daughters:
Gretchen (Franz) Leppla, Port Charlotte, FL,
Laura Jane (Mark) Maley, West Bend, WI,
Melanie (Kim) Henkener, Wapakoneta, OH
Paula (Edward) Quatman, Lima, OH,
Elizabeth (Randy Dodge) Siferd, Columbus, OH,

She had 10 grandchildren: Megan Lachner-Maley, Kim Maley, Chas Quatman, Ben Quatman, Adrienne Quatman Dolph, Brian Henkener, Scott Leppla, Luke Leppla, Frank Leppla, and Terry Leppla all of whom she enjoyed completely, and 15 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Janet Swartz of Columbus, OH. and sister-in-law, Dorothy Quellhorst of St. Marys.

She was preceded in death by a brother, Edward Quellhorst, and a brother-in-law, Fred Swartz.

Lois Ann was a graduate of St. Marys Memorial High School and a 1945 graduate of St. Vincent’s

School of Nursing, Toledo, OH. After raising her children, she worked as a registered nurse at the Auglaize Acres. She and her husband Charlie owned and operated Siferd Funeral Home, Wapakoneta. Lois Ann was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Wapakoneta, past president of the United Methodist Women, and a member and past chairman of the Hannah Unit at the church. For many years Lois Ann and her friend Tootie Rickert were in charge of funeral dinners. She was a member and past president of the Helen Hunt Circle, and a member of the Wapakoneta Woman’s Club, and the Junior Service League. Lois Ann served on the board of the American Cancer Society, and the American Red Cross. She was also a member of the Wapakoneta Country Club, the former Koneta Chapter of the O.E.S, serving as Worthy Matron, and the St. Vincent Alumni Association.

She enjoyed being a part of the Wapakoneta Theater Guild and played in “Harvey” and “You Can’t Take It With You.” She was the chairman for the annual Band Tag Day and band camp nurse. For years she rounded up all the nurses for the Blood Mobile in Auglaize County. In 2008, Lois Ann was bestowed with the honor of Mother of the Year when her daughters wrote essays for the Wapakoneta Daily News. She received “Person of the Year Award” for her impact in community service. She loved to fly her American flag and was recognized for doing so. She enjoyed bowling, dancing, playing bridge, working crosswords, playing Scrabble (she loved to win), reading, ironing, & was a fabulous laundress. As a serious domestic engineer, she embraced recycling before it ever became fashionable. She loved a parade. She loved fireworks. She did the right thing, even when no one was watching.

The family wishes to thank the Wapakoneta Fire Department, who for years checked on our mom. Also, our sincere thanks to the staff at Otterbein St. Marys for seven years of caring service. And of course, our dear family friend and doctor, Karri Krendl, whose constant, loving, and careful care sustained our mom.

Memorial contributions can be made in her memory to The Wapakoneta Area Community
Foundation. Private Interment will be at Greenlawn Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will be
arranged at a later date. Arrangements are under the care of the Eley Funeral Home & Crematory, Wapakoneta, where condolences may be expressed at www.eleyfuneralhomeandcrematory.com