Remembering Mike Seim
by Dan Seim
I spent two summer on Grandma & Grandpa Seim’s farm near Worms
when I was in 5th & 6th grade. About once a week we would either go
to Grand Island or Aunt Loraine and the boys would come out to the farm.
Mike and I were two years apart and we had a good time roaming the farm
and finding things to do. Throwing dirt clods at chickens, climbing around
on old farm machinery, building a raft and attempting to float it on the
pond in the pasture, chasing cows, and tormenting the many cats and kittens
were among the things we did together. Getting away from Tom and John or
teasing them was another activity. We bonded as cousins and comrades.
Later, as a high school sophomore, I came to Concordia High School in Seward.
I was able to spend school holidays in Grand Island or out at Ray & Olga’s
farm. Mike and I spent more time with each other - driving around Grand
Island, telling jokes and stories and acting cool by smoking cigarettes
behind our parents’ backs. We followed different paths when I graduated
from college and Mike went off to join the Navy. Over the years we saw
each other at family gatherings but didn’t have much opportunity
to talk until about a year ago.
By that time Mike had heard the news about his lung cancer but was optimistic
about medical treatment. He had given up smoking years before and had also
sworn off alcohol. He told me about his weekly AA meetings, his years of
drinking and his wonderfully supportive family. We laughed about our times
on the farm. He shared with me his strong faith in Jesus Christ and what
that meant to him. We thanked God together for placing us in families which
set us on the right path for our lives.
This week my brother Dick remembered staying with Dave at Mike & Jane’s
house at the time of Grandma Seim’s funeral. While there, Mike served
them a mixture of salted peanuts and candy corn. Dick brought some for
us to enjoy as we remembered Mike. (Add 8 oz. of salted peanuts to a bag
of candy corn. The taste will remind you of a Payday candy bar.)
‘Mike’ Seim
- Grand Island Independent
Michael
J. "Mike" Seim, 62, of Grand Island died Tuesday, June 19, 2007,
at St. Francis Medical Center following a battle with cancer.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Leo's Catholic Church in Grand
Island. The Rev. Jack Rademacher will officiate. Burial will be in the
Grand Island Cemetery, with full military honors. Visitation will be from
5 to 7 p.m. Friday at the church, with a parish rosary at 7. All Faiths
Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Seim was born June 2, 1945, at Grand Island to Harold and Loraine (Renken)
Seim. Survivors of the immediate family include his wife, Jane; a daughter,
Emma Seim of Kansas City, Mo.; two sons and daughters-in-law, Lucas and
Traci Seim of Columbus and Jason and Stacey Seim of Brookfield, Wis.; and
three brothers and two sisters-in-law, Tom and Kathy Seim of Stone Mountain,
Ga., John and Kathy Seim of York and Ronald Seim of Minden. Other survivors
are grandchildren, Rylee, Ashlee, Katie, Anna and Matthew. His parents
preceded him in death.
Mike was raised and received his education in Grand Island, graduating
from Grand Island Senior High in 1963. He entered the United States Navy
in 1964, serving during the Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged in
1970. Following the military, he completed his education at Kearney State
College.
On Nov. 29, 1969, he was united in marriage to Jane Easley. They made their
home in Grand Island, where he worked for the city of Grand Island Underground
Electrical Department for 22 years, retiring in May 2006.
He was a member of St. Leo's Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus,
Alcoholics Anonymous, United Veterans Club, and the Liederkranz. Mike enjoyed
Nebraska football, golfing and spending time with family and friends.
Memorials are suggested to Central Catholic, the Crisis Center or donor's
choice. Condolences may be sent to www.giallfaiths.com.
(To see photos and video of the funeral go to www.johnseim.net.)