SOURCE: THE MONTICELLO EXPRESS, MONTICELLO, IOWA, FEBRART 15, 1934, PAGE 1
GERRITT J. SIEBES OF AMBER DIED FEBRUARY 8

Gerrit t J. Siebels, 84, a well-known and respected resident of Wayne township, died at his home in Amber, Thursday, February 8. He had been in failing health for the last 18 months, but had been bedfast but four days before his death. Throughout his illness he had been tenderly cared for by his wife and children. His birth occurred July 2, 1846, in Ostfriesland, Germany. His parents were Casper and Talke (Peters) Siebels. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran church. He emigrated to this country when he was 28 years old, and settled first near Sterling, Ill. He later came to Jones county, where he located in Wayne township, and lived there until his death, with the exception of one year in Scotch Grove township. After living in the United States five years, he visited his fatherland. He was later married, December 30,1881, to Anna Reiken. This marriage was performed by the Rev. C. Mardorf. Eleven children were born to this union; all but six of them preceded their father in death. Besides his widow, the children include Mrs. Etta Folkers, Mrs. Anna Wroblewski, and William, Carl, Henry, Hank, George and Rhiny Siebels, and 24 grandchildren and one aged sister, Mrs. Fred Wenger, who resides at Marshalltown.
Mr. and Mrs. Siebels retired from active farm work eleven years ago, and settled in the village of Amber. Funeral services were held for him, Sunday, February 11, at Zion's Lutheran church in Wayne township. His pastor selected as the text for his funeral sermon, James 5:11 "Behold, we count them happy which endure." The services were held at 1:30 at he family hoe and at 2 o'clock at the church. Burial was made on the family lot adjoining the church. The attendance at the funeral was so large that the church would not hold all who were present.