Elsie Magilson Siemer

Dateline: Godfrey Elsie Lucille Magilson Siemer, 88, passed away Tuesday, September 22, at United Methodist Village in Godfrey, where she was a long-time resident. Elsie was born in Alton on July 24, 1927, to Newton and Grace (Wells) Dunn. She married the love of her life, Joseph Magilson, on January 24, 1947, and they were blessed with almost 40 years of marriage until his death in January of 1986. As a girl, Elsie loved to roller skate and dance. She fondly recalled being named May Queen at Hellrung Park at the age of 5. She worked at Thrifty Drug Store in Downtown Alton while attending Alton High School. After graduation, she worked at Owens-Illinois Glass, then as an operator for Illinois Bell Telephone. Later she built a successful career at Illinois and Midwest Credit agencies. She was a long-time member of Main St. Baptist Church, later attending Elm St. Presbyterian and Grace Methodist churches. Throughout her years in the community at Methodist Village, she was a regular at pinochle and BINGO games. Her single greatest joy was in raising and caring for the family she and Joe created. Elsie is survived by her 3 children: Patrick (Linda) Magilson of Peoria, Nancee Magilson (Mark Antieau) of Alton, and Kathleen (Pat) Hedger of Fairview Heights; grandchildren: Nick (Megan Feeley) Boelter, Jolene, Jacy and Doug Hedger, and Elizabeth Magilson; great-granddaughter Addisyn Boelter; and life-long friend Mary Jane McDonald Naaktgeboren. She was preceded in death by her parents, 3 brothers: Travis, Russell and Robert Howard Dunn; 4 sisters: Evelyn Dunn, Dorothy Osborne, Alma Saunders, and Willa Gusel; dear second husband Henry Siemer, her beloved Joe, and her precious granddaughter Melanie Boelter who passed away in July. On Saturday, October 3, 2015 a private burial service will be at 10 a.m. at Upper Alton Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest alongside her husband Joe. A memorial service will be held at 12:00 noon at the chapel at United Methodist Village, 5201 Asbury Av., Godfrey, with visitation from 11:00 a.m. until time of service. Chaplain Judy Miller will officiate. A reception will follow in the dining room. The family would like to express its gratitude to the staff at Methodist Village for their loving care, and to OSF St. Anthony’s hospice team for their compassionate support in her final days. A special thanks to Dr. James Piephoff, with whom she shared a warm bond of trust over a number of years of care. Memorials in her name may be made to United Methodist Village, attention Patrick Noonan or Joyce Wild. Gent Funeral Home in Alton is in charge of arrangements. Online guestbook and information may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com PDF Printable Version

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Elsie Magilson Siemer

July 24, 1927 - September 22, 2015