Albert Siegel

Open your hearts to the love God instills . . . God loves you tenderly. What He gives you is not to be kept under lock and key, but to be shared.

Albert Siegel believed this with all his heart, and wanted nothing more than to share this love and faith with all those around him. An ordinary man with an extraordinary faith, Albert lived his life loving his family and serving his Lord. What more could anyone ask?

Founded in 1901, Edmore, North Dakota, is a small community northeast of Fargo. In 1915, while Americans watched the events taking place in Europe during World War I, the citizens of Edmore were more concerned with earning a living and raising their families. This was especially true for Albert and Josephine (Retzlaff) Siegel. Albert supported his family working as a farmer while Josephine had her hands full caring for the home and their six children. On May 26, 1915, their lives were blessed again with the birth of a son they named Albert, after his father.

Young Albert grew up in Edmore, and with twelve brothers and sisters, always had someone to play with. He attended elementary school in Edmore, but as high school approached, Albert yearned for more than little Edmore had to offer. He had an uncle who lived in upstate New York, site of a technical school. Albert moved to New York, living with his uncle and attending the technical school, studying mechanical engineering, and working part-time in his uncle's shop. With his “inventor’s mind”, Albert and his classmates were always thinking of new items to build. One of them was an iceboat that they manufactured, to be used on the frozen lakes in the area.

Even though he was living in New York, Albert stayed in close contact with family back in Edmore, and often returned for a visit. On one of these visits, while visiting a friend, he was introduced to a lovely young lady named Helen De Boer, and for Albert it was love at first sight. He and Helen dated casually, and Albert soon asked Helen to marry him. Being a devote Christian, Helen said “no”. Her reason? Albert did not believe in Jesus Christ. However, she knew that Albert was a good man with a good heart, and through her gentle guidance, he was led to the Lord. Blessed by their mutual faith, the two were married on April 3, 1938.

With Helen by his side, and Jesus in his heart, Albert and his new bride set off for Michigan, settling in the Grand Rapids area. Soon their home was filled with the joyous noises of their own family. Son Glen was born in 1939, followed by Ralph in 1941. When the twins James and Gerald arrived in 1943, Albert knew he had been truly blessed. However, even though his roots were now in Michigan, Albert remained in close contact with his family back in North Dakota.

In 1953, Albert became the proud owner of his own automotive repair shop, Al & Sons. With his inventive mind and the skills learned in technical school, it was the perfect career for Albert. He and Helen did everything together, so while he ran the shop she assisted by keeping the books. Albert was especially proud in later years when his sons joined him at the shop.

With his new-found faith in the Lord, Albert and Helen joined the Alpine Baptist Church in Comstock Park. Albert wanted to share his faith with others and became a very active member of the church. He served on the building committee, led through his time as a deacon and eventually became superintendent of the Sunday School. The church was located on 7 Mile Rd., where he started the Christian Sportsman Club. When the family built a cottage on Lincoln Lake in Gowen, Michigan, northeast of Rockford, Albert found his true calling through the Lincoln Lake Baptist Youth Camp. With its mission of “Lincoln Lake exists as an outreach of the local church using the unique atmosphere of camping to evangelize and disciple individuals through the Word of God”, Albert knew that this was a place where he could truly share his faith in the Lord. He soon became superintendent of the camp and in later years, the chapel was named after him. When he retired from the shop at the age of 50, he began volunteering at the camp full time.

Along with retirement, Albert found new interests to occupy his time. He enjoyed fishing and hunting small game, deer and the pheasants in North Dakota, but his favorite was Canadian geese. The family had taken regular summer vacations, traveling to Yellowstone National Park, taking cross-country trips and visiting family in North Dakota. After retirement, he and Helen took many trips with her cousins, making a total of 17 trips across the country. They even wintered in Florida.

Around the house, Albert was a pretty handy man, able to fix most anything. He wasn’t much of a TV watcher, preferring to listen to old hymns. He was an avid reader and when it came to mealtime, was happy with a man’s meal of meat and potatoes, unless it was his own pancakes. Blessed with a good sense of humor, he made everyone feel comfortable.

Albert and Helen were inseparable. Whether at work, church, camp, or traveling, they were always together. After 68 years of marriage, Helen passed away in 2006. This was a difficult time for Albert. He knew that she was in the arms of Jesus and he yearned to join her. On April 11, 2008, he was reunited with his loving wife and finally met his Savior face to face.

Described as a fair man with an “in-charge” personality, Albert Siegel was not afraid to speak his mind. But sharing the love of the Lord was always first in his heart and it is what loved ones will remember most. A true servant of the Lord has gone to meet his master. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Mr. Albert A. Siegel, age 92, of Comstock Park walked into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior on April 11, 2008 and was welcomed with great rejoicing. He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen and grandson David Siegel. Albert is survived by his children Glen (Julia) Siegel, Ralph (Sharon) Siegel, James (Ruth Ann) Siegel, Gerald (Mary Jo) Siegel; grandchildren, Daniel Siegel, Lori (Ron) Cook, Vicky (Tim) Bronkema, Ricky Siegel, Mary Ann Siegel, Diane Siegel, Jennifer Siegel, and Rebecca (Jon) Mol; and one great-great-grand daughter. Also surviving is his brother, Fred Ettl; sister, Erma Kramer and Josephine Williamson; and sister-in-law, Jackie Ettl. Albert spent many years as the superintendent of Lincoln Lake Baptist Youth Camp and had a passion for sharing his faith in Jesus Christ with all he knew. The funeral service will be held Tuesday at 2 PM at Alpine Baptist Church, 692 Seven Mile Road with Rev. Doug Compton officiating. Friends are invited to meet from 6-9 PM on Monday at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, 851 Leonard NW and on Tuesday for one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorial contributions made to Siegel Memorial Fund for Lincoln Lake Youth Baptist Campers would be appreciated. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to sign the guest book, or archive a memory or photo if you are unable to attend