Harold Vernon Siegrist

Harold Vernon Siegrist died March 10, 2014 , his family by his side at his home in Malden , Missouri .
He was born March 25, 19 27 in Delevan , Kansas , to Harold Maxwell Siegrist and Mary Alma (Putnam) Siegrist. Harold was the oldest of five children – Lawrence, Pete, Alvin , and his sister, Bernadine Albrecht.
Harold was a veteran of World War II, serving as a corporal in the U.S. Army. Harold received his Bachelor of Arts in History from Baker University , and a degree in Political Science at Fort Hays State University . He also received his Specialist in Elementary Administration. He was a member of the Alpha Delta Sigma Fraternity.
Harold married Ida Beesley of Gove , Kansas in 1957. He was the principal of Haviland Grade School in Haviland , Kansas . In 1958, Harold became principal of Woodlawn Elementary. He cherished his service to the North Lawrence community. He also served as the principal of Grant and Riverside .
In 1961, Harold and Ida adopted a newborn they named Robert Allen. Ida passed away suddenly in 1964, and Harold was a single father until he married Mary Van Horn in 1966. Mary was also a teacher in the Lawrence system. She had a twelve year old daughter, Kristina Ruth.
Due to circumstances beyond his control, Harold left his work as a principal in 1979. He worked with the Methodist Church and then Lawrence Memorial Hospital where they voted Harold “The Nicest Man You’ll Ever Meet”.
Harold and Mary were instrumental in organizing LINK (Lawrence Interdenominational Nutrition Kitchen) and a safe haven for homeless persons.
Harold was a faithful member of the Church, particularly enjoying Sunday school and choir. He worshiped in the Methodist, Lutheran, Nazarene and the Twin Rivers General Baptist Church , with a love and acceptance of all people.
In the last years of his life, Harold and Mary resided with their daughter and son-in-law. Harold had a wonderfully gentle sense of humor and love of the Lord that encouraged a home of grace.
Dad always led by example, teaching us the value of serving others, the equality of all, the rewards of a hard day’s work, and the love of Christ in our lives. He never spoke an unkind word about anyone.
Harold’s wife, Mary Inez, her daughter, Kristina, and Kristina’s husband, the Reverend John Bowlby, reside in Malden , Missouri . His son, Robert Allen, wife Theresa Ann, and his grandson, Michael Thomas, reside in North Royalton , Ohio . His granddaughter, Mary Evelyn, and her husband, Garrett Benney, reside in Olathe , Kansas , and grandson, Carl Bowlby, resides in East Chicago , Illinois .
Memorial services will be held on Saturday, March 15, 2014 at 2:00 P.M. at the Twin Rivers General Baptist Church in Fisk, Missouri with Reverend John Bowlby and Pastor Adam Mathias officiating.
Memorials can be made to Lawrence Interdenominational Nutritional Kitchen, 1000 Kentucky, Lawrence, Kansas 66044, Director: Greg Moore or Legacy Hospice, 607 Billington, Kennett, Missouri 63857
Please sign this guestbook at Obituaries.LJWorld.com.