Patricia Siebert

Patricia K (Thomsen) Siebert left this earth surrounded by family on February 16th, 2026. Pat or Patti as she was called by friends, and mean Aunt Patti as she was lovingly referred to by her many nieces and nephews, was a strong woman, mother and wife in life and in death. She lived for her grandchildren, took care of her husband through thick and thin, and was a proud member of the Ar-We-Va Community that she served and loved.

Patti was born at Crawford County Memorial Hospital on December 14th, 1944, the 4th child of 10, to Bernice (Kiener) and Fritz Thomsen. Her family lived over the years in Dow City, Manilla, and settled outside of Vail when she was 15 where she began her sophomore year at Ar-We-Va High School. Patti graduated from Ar-We-Va High School in 1963. Patti was a cheerleader and was voted homecoming queen her senior year. During the summer of 1962, Patti began dating Larry Siebert, whom she was actually using to make another man jealous…and the rest is history.

Upon graduating from high school in 1963, she attended the Personal Training Institute in Omaha and received training in New York City, NY. When she returned to the Vail area and began working as a legal secretary for the law office of Raun and Frank in Denison. One of her proudest moments was typing a brief for a case argued before the United States Supreme Court. Over her lifetime, she worked a variety of other jobs, such as bookkeeper and teller. From 1982 to 2003, she served as the Branch Manager of Westside State Savings Bank in Vail. In 2004, she began working as the secretary at Arcadia Elementary School, where she remained until her retirement in 2012.

On May 21st,1964, Larry and Patti were united in marriage at the Zion Lutheran Church in Arcadia, IA. Patti was blessed with three daughters, Shellie, Laurie, and Heidi. She spent the early years attending the kids’ school and sporting events, finding enjoyment yelling at the refs during basketball and softball games. As a family, summers were spent travelling around the Midwest, following Larry’s fastpitch softball teams. As a mother, Patti taught the values of honesty, hard work and resilience, which continues to live through her daughters and grandchildren.

With the birth of her first grandchild in 1995, Patti’s life became focused on traveling the country to see her six grandchildren and hosting them as often as possible. Grandma Patti gave the best cuddles and had the softest touch. And while she didn’t allow sass, she always gave unconditional love. She was extremely proud of them and accepted and supported them in whatever they chose.

Throughout her adult life and through retirement, Patti was a fixture at Ar-We-Va sporting events, especially those coached by Larry. She was an active member of the Presbyterian Church in Vail and in the Vail community until moving to Westside in 2004. Her later years were spent taking “bucket list” trips with Larry and playing with her cat, Ben. Patti loved spending her hard earned money on cars and her grandkids. Most days, you’d find her watching Jeopardy, Family Feud and MSNBC, but was always ready to make her famous fried chicken and milk gravy upon request. Patti lived with a giving heart, never hesitating to help out family or others in need.

Patti is survived by her husband Larry, daughters Shellie (Tom) Matt of Ankeny, IA and grandson Jack Matt of Virginia Beach, VA; Laurie McCarter of Panama City Beach, FL, and grandsons Hunter (Maddie) McCarter of Nashville, TN and Max McCarter of Panama City Beach, FL; and Heidi Siebert of Green Bay, WI, and granddaughters Taylor (Andrew) Preul-Stimetz and Kylie Preul and fiance Mason Olson of Minocqua, WI; and Logan Preul of Milwaukee, WI. Patti is survived by two brothers, Rick (Barb) Thomsen of Utica, MN and Paul (Denise) Thomsen of Rosalie, NE. Patti is survived by three sisters, Judy (Bill) Messenbrink of Omaha, NE; Geri Boeck of Vail, IA, and Kathy Huff of Anita, IA. Patti was preceded in death by her parents, Fritz and Bernice (Kiener) Thomsen, two sisters Suzanne Kelly and Linda (Rodney) Bell and two brothers, Jim Thomsen and Butch (Marcia) Thomsen. She was also preceded in death by a brother-in-law, Rodney (Linda) Bell. Patti is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Visitation with Family Greeting Friends will be Friday, February 20. 2026 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Huebner Funeral Home in Westside. Memorials may be directed to Ar-We-Va Foundation or Booster Club in Patricia’s name.