Rex Leroy Siebert was born Oct. 29, 1923, in rural Marion County, Kansas, to Floyd and Millie (Blankley) Siebert. On Feb. 5, 2015, at his home in rural Marion County, he left this earth to be with his Maker. He was 91.
Rex graduated from Marion High School with the class of 1943. In 1943, he married Olga Stuchlik; they had three children — Linda, Ladd, and John. During this time, they lived in rural Marion County, where Rex worked on the family farm. He was also employed by C-K Ranch in Salina, helping groom and show cattle. Later, the family moved to Salina, where Rex became a full time employee at C-K. While at C-K Ranch, he developed a love of Hereford cattle, and had a strong desire of finding a better way to trim hooves on the show cattle. With the help of a friend, Frank Reece, Rex invented the Spring-O-Matic table. After his marriage ended in divorce, Rex moved back to Marion County.
On Mother’s Day, May 8, 1955, Rex married Vernolis Dillingham and welcomed her two sons, Ronald Dean and Francis Dudley Breech, into the family. Rex and Vernolis spent their honeymoon on a trip to Western Kansas to look at Hereford cattle! After a short stint in Herington, Kansas, Rex and Vernolis moved to the current “Siebert Home Place” west of Marion.
Rex spent his life working, traveling to trim hooves on cattle, and when at home, tending to his Hereford cattle and manufacturing the Spring-O-Matic tables, shipping them all over the U.S. and some foreign countries. He showed at or attended the National Western Stock Show in Denver for more than 60 years.
Although his life was all about work, Rex knew how to relax. Music and dancing were his forte. Vernolis remembers how the dance floor would clear when the band played “Panhandle Rag.” Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys was his favorite dance band. He especially enjoyed the songs “San Antonio Rose” and “Faded Love.” Rex requested these three songs for music at his funeral.
After retirement, Rex spent his time writing his memoirs of his days on the road, and keeping in contact, by hand-written letters, to his many acquaintances and especially his grandchildren. He also enjoyed watching the PBR events.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Millie Siebert, his in-laws, Dudley and Ora Dillingham, sons Ronnie and Francie Breech, and grandson Jeffrey Siebert.
Rex is survived by his wife of almost 60 years, Vernolis; children, Linda (Bob) Campbell, Ladd (MaryJo) Siebert, and John (Marianne) Siebert; grandchildren Roger Hazelhorst, David (Shelly) Hazelhorst, Darren Hazelhorst, Krista (Jim) DeMars, Matt (Tena) Campbell; James Siebert, Floyd Siebert, Mark (Rachel) Siebert, Thomas (Sarah) Siebert, Sarah Siebert, Joseph Siebert, Joshua Siebert; Rexana (Toby) Wilcox, Laramie Siebert, and Nevada Siebert; 20 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-granddaughter due in April, 2015.
A Memorial Service was held Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2015, at Aulne United Methodist Church. Memorial Funds have been established for Marion Central Park or the Aulne United Methodist Church Youth Group.