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Ina Patricia “Pat” Siefert

Last Updated on March 26, 2019 by cassnetwork

Ina Patricia Siefert

As the stage lights faded to black, 74-year-old Ina Patricia “Pat” Siefert, of Logansport, exited this world at 11:50 p.m. Monday, March 25, 2019 for Act II, fully restored in the loving arms of Jesus Christ, her Savior and the Director of her life.

Pat had resided in her “green room” at Woodbridge Health Campus for the past year as she valiantly fought to live life to the fullest in spite of a terminal diagnosis known as “chronic pulmonary fibrosis.” There, she made many friends in the form of fellow residents, their families, Hospice and the Woodbridge staff who lovingly cared for her. Her mission was to learn other people’s stories and celebrate the intertwining of their lives. She had recently been elected as chairman of the Patient Advisory Board.

On July 3, 1944, in Indianapolis, Pat debuted as the firstborn – center stage in the eyes of parents – the late Lawrence and Elsie (Raines) Keegan. Pat was proud to share the spotlight a few years later, co-starring with a new little sister, Neva “Jane.” The two shared a lifelong relationship as, not only sisters, but best friends. Jane, along with Pat’s children, were beside her until the last curtain fell.

Pat was quite a beauty and wore the Homecoming Queen banner during her senior year at the Thomas Carr Howe High School in Indianapolis. Following her 1962 graduation, she set out to make her mark in the theatrical department at Indiana State University. She earned her Bachelors of Science degree in Speech with an emphasis on Drama as well as Masters of Science degree in Education. A lifelong learner, she had achieved an additional 44 hours of post graduate work, including certification in Library Sciences from IUPUI.

It was during the ISU production of “Harvey” when Pat co-starred alongside the man who could see an infamous invisible rabbit played by Bobby Joe Siefert. The couple married and embarked on a journey that led them both to teaching careers at Logansport High School. Pat had previously taught reading at Edinburg High School and then served as the librarian and speech coach at Maconaquah. In landing her next role, Pat became a part of Logansport’s history by leaving the educational and theatrical opportunities at LHS much better than she found them. And while her storybook romance didn’t have the happy ending she had envisioned, the union was blessed with two beautiful children, Stacia and Jason. Their childhood was played out against the perfect backdrop of their Logansport home for the constant flow of young townspeople dropping by to visit.

After moving to Logansport, Pat shined in her directing debut as the first Physical Education and Recreation Director of the new UYYWCA. In addition to directing three water ballets, Pat initiated a Learn-to-Swim program for the mentally and physically challenged as well as originating the first aerobic classes for women.

In 1970, Pat accepted the position of “Director of Theater” at Logansport High School. Her love of theater and teaching quickly developed into an esteemed career that not only impacted the lives of students but also added culture and a bit of Broadway to a small, rural community. That year would also be remembered as the year Pat became a mother, was named as Indiana’s Outstanding Young Woman all while directing a play and two musicals, including her all-time favorite, “West Side Story.” From 1970-1985, Pat directed 33 musicals and several Thespian plays. As part of a community tribute to Logansport’s native son, Forrest Tucker, she helped direct, “This is Your Life, Forrest Tucker.”

In 1980, Pat took on the summer position of pool manager at Tower Park – Logansport’s Municipal Pool. She taught swimming, water ballet, diving, water safety instruction and SCUBA diving. Pat loved water and this part-time dream job continued for 15 years helping supplement her income as a single mom. During this time, Pat earned her Emergency Medical Technician Certification to use lifesaving skills not only at the pool, but also as she worked weekends on Memorial Hospital’s ambulance team.

Pat wore many hats at LHS. She coached the speech team, judged beauty pageants and speech contests on a local and state level. She became coach of the Varsity and JV cheerleaders in 1988. She was very involved in the Thespian Society. During the 90’s, Pat became the director of the Academic Competition at LHS. She organized the Spell Bowl, Academic Decathlon and Super Bowl Teams for Math, English, Science and Social Studies. Her Academic Decathlon team won the State Championship in 1993.

As a longtime member of First United Methodist Church, Pat’s faith was the source of her great strength. Having grown up in the Emerson Avenue Baptist Church, Jesus was known to her as a loving Savior her entire life. Pat was recently recognized as a 50-year member of the Alpha Mu Chapter of Tri Kappa. Her sorority promotes charity, culture and education as its mission which was also her personal mantra as she lived out her life.

Pat was a member of the Cass County Retired Teachers Association, the Indiana Retired Teachers Association and had been named as one of Cass County’s 50 Bicentennial Citizens for the impact she made in this community. During the Ironhorse Festival, she brought history to life by using actors and actresses to stage a train robbery during the excursions. She also served on the board of directors of the Literacy Volunteers of Cass County. Pat had also been active in the production of several plays and musicals with the Logansport Civic Players and the Junior Civic Theater.

Mayor David Kitchell Proclaimed April 6, 2018 “Pat Siefert Day” by expressing these words:
“WHEREAS, her wellspring of spirit for directing Broadway musicals led thousands of Logansport students to dedicate their free time to Winter Fantasy and Senior Class Musicals at Logansport High School and gave the late Frank McHale reason and pause to build a high school performing arts center that is one of the finest in the state…’we can’t forget, won’t regret what she did for love.’”

She is survived by her supporting cast in this life production, who are listed in order of appearance; sister, Neva Jane (Charles) Peterson, of Glendale, Arizona; daughter, Stacia Nanette Siefert, Kokomo, IN; son, Jason Keegan Siefert, Fishers, IN; grandsons, Richard “Keegan” Siefert, Kaleb Siefert, and Jackson David Barnes; nieces families, Karen (Randy) Gordon, Alex and Zack of Chicago, and Paula (Zolton) Gyimesi, Sophia and Andre of Louisville, KY; her stepmother, Carolyn Keegan, of Indianapolis; her caregiver for the past 20 years, Jeremy Malott, Logansport; as well as an entire chorus of colleagues, former students and beloved friends.

In addition to her parents, she was greeted by her beloved Aunt Lida Beikes who had been waiting for several years to take her to the best beach in Heaven to catch some rays and toast to Eternity.

She loved to collect anything Felix or Berry-related and displayed her patriotism quite passionately after nearly being born a “firecracker” baby. She was an avid Indianapolis Colts fan. Her Irish heritage was also a source of great pride. Her home was decorated with musical related gifts from the casts she had directed as well as a wall of Comedy/Drama masks.

These Greek masks are symbolic of Pat’s life on this earth. There were many highs and many lows and lots of laughter along the way. Since 2001, she had over 30 surgeries, three major infections, and life-threatening conditions. She was in a body cast for over three months at the Mayo Clinic. Her leg was saved, but came out five inches shorter. Eventually, she required complete amputation of the leg. She has spent as many as 165 days hospitalized in one year prior to this final year at Woodbridge Health Campus. The time spent in the hospital changed her life completely. For those of us to witness this transformation, we were blessed by her example of strength, grit and spunk in the face of adversity. Like a cat with nine lives, just when you thought all was lost, she would open her eyes as if to say, “I’m not ready to sing.”

You are invited to a gathering of family and friends from 3-7 p.m. Sunday, April 7th at Fisher Funeral Chapel in Logansport. Pat’s Tri Kappa sisters will conduct a Tri Kappa Memorial Tribute at 7 p.m. A Celebration of Pat’s life will follow.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, April 8th at Shirley Brothers’ East Irving Funeral Home. Friends may call one hour prior to the service in Indianapolis.

Entombment, beside her mother, will follow in the Washington Park East Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 230 East Ohio Street, Suite 500, Chicago, IL 60611 or by visiting the link on Pat’s Tribute Wall at www.fisherfuneralchapel.com where you may also watch her Video Tribute, share photos, memories and words of comfort to her family. To send flowers to the family of Ina Patricia “Pat” Siefert, please visit Tribute Store.

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