Paul A. Siedenburg
October 13, 2011
Paul was born October 17, 1924 in Savanna, Illinois, the third son of William H. and Ida M. Siedenburg. He passed away October 13, 2011 at home.
Paul accepted Christ into his life at an early age in Savanna, Illinois, establishing a faith that would impact the direction he would take throughout life. A member of The Gideons International and a long-time member of First Federated Church, Paul believed that unless you have the faith of a small child, you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
Following graduation from Savanna High School he enrolled in Huntington College, Huntington, Indiana. It was 1942, World War II was on and when the U.S. Army Air Corps offered him the opportunity to enter the Pilot Aviation Cadet Program, he jumped at the chance because he had always wanted to fly. After ten months, three months past his nineteenth birthday, he graduated with his 2nd Lt. Commission and his Silver Wings. He was sent directly to Flight Instructors School at Randolph Field, San Antonio, Texas. Three months later he was sent to Independence Army Airfield, Independence, Kansas where he instructed Aviation Cadets for eleven months. He was sent to Aircraft Commanders School for Martin Marauder B-26 twin engine bombers and from there to Aircraft Commanders School for B-24 four engine bomber training. The war ended as he completed that course and he was discharged shortly after but remained an active member of the U.S. Air Force Reserve for twenty eight years retiring as a Lt. Colonel.
He joined the Iowa Farm Bureau Insurance Companies in 1949 and began his climb up the organizational ladder.
In 1954, he married Virginia M. Bruhn in Cedar Falls, Iowa and three children were born to this union: Douglas, David and Connie. Paul and Virginia made their home in Des Moines in 1956. In 1969 Virginia died after a long illness.
In 1970, he was appointed Vice President-Marketing for the Company's multistate operation and held that position until his retirement in 1985. During that time he did extensive speaking to groups in the insurance industry and served on the Life Insurance Marketing Research Association’s, (LIMRA), Board of Directors. In recognition of his success with his company and his work in the industry he was inducted into the Iowa Insurance Hall of Fame in 2007.
On January 29, 1997, Paul married Minnette M. Marmon, adding to his family her four children, Bradley, Linnette, Angela and Ricky.
Over the years, he was able to utilize his flying abilities by flying company planes to his many meetings and charter flying after retirement. During the sixty four years between 1943 and 2007, he amassed eight thousand hours of pilot time in thirty different types of aircraft without an accident. As a result, the Federal Aviation Agency awarded him the prestigious award of Master Pilot in 2009. He never thought he was the best pilot but always wanted to be one of the safest.
His primary purpose in life, however, was to raise his three children to love God, be successful parents and good citizens and to teach their children to do the same.
Left to cherish Paul's memory are his wife, Minnette; children Douglas (Julie), David (Dina), and Connie (Allan) Voorhees; seven grandchildren: Joel, Daniel, Ryan, Rachel, Eric, Jordan, and Taylor; Minnette's children; Bradley Norman (Paula), Linnette Lee, Angela Lia (Chris), Ricky Jay (Kim) and grandchildren: Michael, Dusty, Brent, Margarite, Nicholas, Nathan, Moriah, Kaylie and Koby. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Virginia and brothers Loyal and Alvin. He is survived by his brother, George of Savanna, IL and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 18, 2011 at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines. Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at First Federated Church, 4801 Franklin Avenue, Des Moines with burial at Greenwood Cemetery in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be directed to Gideons International or Iowa Health Home Hospice.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Norma Caston
10/17/2011
My deepest sympathy for Minnette and family.
Rick Schult
10/16/2011
My brother Bill just called me this evening to tell me of Paul's passing from this life here on earth. We were sad to hear the news. Paul and my brother worked very closely for years.
I am sorry we will not be able to attend the services scheduled and after reading the comments from Dave T - I too wanted to take some time to share a word about Paul in my life and my brother Bill's life.
I too was a young guy when I started in the business with Farm Bureau at
the age 19 - my brother being a Division Mgr under Paul's wings - they gave me a chance in the business that I am still in today.
Paul always had a kind, gracious spirit with me and my wife - a gentleman's gentleman. What I would call Old School kindness and caring.
As I read his obituary I can see that kindness and caring came from his belief in Jesus Christ as his Saviour.
As I read more about Paul I can see what I guess I already knew - he had his priorities right in life. Any encounter I ever had with him he had a real caring humble spirit about him. That True Humility comes from honestly assessing ourselves in the light of God's Holiness and our sinfulness.
Hard not to be humble then and Paul understood this.
You have my families sincere sympathies.
May your family cherish the great memories you have of Paul and his commitment to his Faith and family and rest in the Assurance that because of his child like Faith in Christ he has stepped into Glory for eternity!
David Thesing
10/16/2011
My wife Kathy and I are sorry for your loss. We hope you can find peace in the fact that Paul is home with Jesus. I want to share a few memories of Paul with you.
The first time I had a real conversation with Paul was on an All-American trip we earned to Switzerland in 1982. My wife Kathy and I were both 22 years old and had never been to Europe before. He make us feel at home with his warm and gracious personality.
Paul had a big impact on my career approving my appointment to agency and then division management positions before I reached age 25. I will forever be grateful for his belief in me.
A third memory is when Paul heard I was studying to get my pilots license he invited me to take one of the company planes on a check ride with him. He let me fly and bring it in on the final approach but when it came time to land he wisely took back the controls.
Paul had the ability to make you belief in yourself at the same time he could be tough as nails. May God Bless you all in your time of loss.
Grant Dickinson
10/16/2011
My thoughts and prayers to the Siedenburg family, knowing how close you all are to your Dad. His legacy is his children.
Jack Textor
10/16/2011
Connie, Doug and other friends and family,
It was sad news to hear Paul passed away. I remember him best from my years at Elliotts when he was flying the company Baron, N3030A. He was a very meticulous, caring aviator and just a great guy. You all are in my thoughts and prayers.
Take care!
Jack