Dakota County Tribune, Friday August 8, 1945
Hastings Druggist, Dies Suddenly
Harry A. Sieben, former mayor of Hastings, and a prominent druggist there, died suddenly Sunday from a heart attack in his home. He was also a Democrat leader in the count, prominent in county politics, and active in civic and fraternal organizations.
Funeral services were held Thursday morning of this week at Guardian Angel's Catholic church, Hastings, with burial in the church cemetery.
Mr. Sieben is survived by his wife; two sons, Harry Jr., St. Paul and S Sgt. James G., now home on furlough agter a year overseas; one daughter, Mrs. Fred French of Hastings; three grandchildren; two brothers, Louis of Hastings and George of Venice, Calif., besides a host of friends throughout Dakota county.
Hastings Gazette, Friday August 10, 1945
H.A. Sieben Drug Store Owner, Dead; Was Former Mayor, Active in Civic, Political Affairs
Harry A. Sieben, prominent Hastings businessman and former mayor of the city, died suddenly from a heart attack early Sunday evening at his home, bringing to a close an outstanding career. In his usual good health, Mr. Sieben had been downtown at his drug store and had enjoyed a picnic dinner with members of his family. Retiring to an upstairs room to rest, before returning to his store, he died after experiencing a sudden sick spell.
His remains were at the family home at 906 Vermillion street until Thursday at 10 a.m. when a Solemn Requiem High Mass was read in Guardian Angels church. Rev. Father Shea was celebrant, assisted by Rev. P. J. Ryan, pastor of the church and Rev. Othmar Hohmann, O.S.B., assistant pastor of Sr. Boniface church. Internment was in the church cemetery.
Close friend serving as pallbearers were Judge E.J. Hiniker, Dr. A.J. Koppes, Chester Graus, and Joseph Fritz. Members of St. Boniface society, of which the deceased was a member, formed an honorary escort.
As a young man, Mr. Sieben became and enthusiastic civic booster. He coupled his enthusiasm for his native city with a wealth of energy which he expended in carrying through ideas for the development of Hastings. Joining with others he was the leading spirit in establishing many Hastings traditions and customs, in developing progress, in giving life and meaning to the growth of the city.
Mr. Sieben was Hastings' youngest mayor, serving two terms from 1922 to 1926. He also served as acting mayor and as a member of the city council. During his administration as mayor the Vermillion street pavement and boulevard became a reality. He as one of the originators of the Hastings Athletic field, visioning an outdoor football stadium with a wurrounding parkway. Presenting the idea of purchasing the property along Highway 55 between 10th and 11th Streets to the board of education, the project developed to subsequently provide Hastings with one of the best athletic fields in this section of the country. The Hastings levee was another project which gained much of his attention.
A leader in Democratic politics in Dakota county, Mr. Sieben served as Democratic convention chairman in the county for over 20 years. while serving as mayor he was a national delegate to a Democratic convention.
Mr. Sieben was a charter member of the Hastings Kiwanis club and also of the Lions club, now non-existant. He also held membership in St. Boniface society and the Hastings Knights of Columbus Council, serving the latter organization as Grand Knight. As a hobby he collected stamps since he was nine years old and possessed a valuable collection.
Born in Hastings, January 7, 1890, Harry A. Sieben was the son of the late J. George and Lena Kimm Sieben. He attended grade school and high school in Hastings, leavving at the end of his junior year to enter the University of Illinois. He graduated fromthe university in 1911 with a degree in pharmacy and chemistry, then entered the drug business at the corner of Second and Ramsey streets as a partner to his father. Since the death of his father in 1938, Mr. Sieben operated the pharmacy alone.
His marriage to Miss Irene Helen Buckley of Minneapolis took place September 30, 1919 at the Holy Rosary church in Minneapolis.
Surviving Mr. Sieben are his wife and three children, Harry A. Jr., and Mrs. Fred J. French (Mary Jane) of Hastings and Staff Sargent James G. Sieben, who returned home July 15, after a year's service in the European theatre of war. Also surviving are three grandchildren and two brothers, Louis Sieben of Hastings and George Sieben of Venice Calif.