Gilbert Joseph Seiwald

Gilbert Joseph Seiwald, 98, of Wamego, Kansas, passed away Thursday, September 26, 2013, at his home. Gilbert was born December 25, 1914 in Eudora, Kansas, the son of Michael Joseph and Amelia (Brueggen) Seiwald. He grew up and attended schools in Eudora and St. Marys and St. Bernard’s grade schools all before graduating from Wamego High School in 1933. After high school he attended Kansas State College. Gilbert married Ruth Lintz on November 10, 1941 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Wamego, Kansas. She preceded him in death on March 18, 2012. Gilbert worked for Balderson Manufacturing for 39 years in administration and management of production before retiring. He was a member of the St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, the Wamego Country Club, a past Wamego Public Library board member and also served on the Wamego Recreation Commission. He loved to go hunting and fishing and was a master craftsman and woodworker, having built lots of items for local friends. Gilbert also enjoyed building scale models of famous wooden sailing ships. Gilbert is survived by his son: CDR Michael Joseph Seiwald, USN (Ret) and his wife Holly; one grandson Aaron Joseph Seiwald and one granddaughter Sara Regina Seiwald all of Damascus, Oregon. He was also preceded in death by his two brothers: Harold and Glenn. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, October 5, 2013 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, in Wamego. Burial will follow in the St. Bernard’s Catholic Cemetery. Gilbert will lie in-state at the Stewart Funeral Home of Wamego beginning at 1:00 p.m. Friday, where family will greet friends during a visitation from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. followed with a Rosary being recited at 7:00 p.m. The family has asked that Gilbert’s casket be closed. The Seiwald family suggests memorial contributions be made to the St. Bernard’s Catholic Church Building Fund or Wamego City Library and may be left in care of Stewart Funeral Home, PO Box 48, 66547, Wamego, KS.