Glenn Kenneth Siebert

Glenn Kenneth Siebert “Bepa” died peacefully in his sleep, Friday, June 26, 2020, age 93

Glenn was born in Wawatosa, Wisconsin to Benjamin and Emily (nee Knable) Zibertska on Sept. 5, 1926. Benjamin changed his surname to Siebert after Emily’s tragic death by homicide when Glenn was 3 years old. Glenn’s uncommonly beautiful voice was already apparent in his youth. He started performing at an early age and was a favorite at the Riverside Theater in Milwaukee. Singing would become an essential part of his life. Glenn was also athletic and loved the out-of-doors and sports. One of his fondest memories was working for the US Forest Service in western Montana as a smoke spotter in a fire lookout tower during the summers of 1942 and 1943. In 1944, Glenn joined the Navy. Because of his talent for singing, he was offered a spot in a touring military chorus. He turned down the offer because he felt the need to do his part in the Pacific during WWII. His older brother Don had already been serving there as a belly gunner on a B-24 airplane. During the war, Glenn was stationed in the Philippines where he piloted a landing craft. After VJ-Day he was sent to Shanghai. Following Glenn’s discharge from the Navy, he returned to Milwaukee to study at Wisconsin Conservatory of Music for a year then headed for New York City and immersed himself in the vibrant post war musical scene on Broadway. Glenn told remarkable stories about working with the likes of Rodgers and Hammerstein and Irving Berlin. Missing home, the outdoors and the girl he left behind, his sweetheart Joan Holub, Glenn wound his way home on a big band singing tour. Back in Wisconsin, Glenn took a new direction in life and began apprenticing as a mason, which later led to building his own mason contracting business. A defining moment in Glenn’s life was his marriage to Joan on Nov. 25^th, 1950. Their first child, Daniel, was born in Sept. 1951. To make room for what would turn out to be a large and rambunctious family, Glenn bought 2 beautiful acres of land in Brookfield and built his own red-brick house by hand. Glenn was always involved in the community, becoming a lifelong member of Trinity United Church of Christ and the Kiwanis Club where he served for a time as President. Glenn continued to build a reputation as a mason. His work was admired for its integrity, craft and beauty and endures to this day. Music was always a part of Glenn’s life. He had an astounding memory for the music and lyrics of the Great American Songbook. He appeared on radio commercials and was a regular performer on his friend Zeb Billings’ television variety show, “The Zeb Billings Spotlight”, during the 1960’s.

Glenn’s first grandchild, Nathan, dubbed him “Bepa” and the name stuck. Family was the center his life. His wife, kids, grandkids, great grandkids, nieces, nephews, dogs, neighbors and friends all loved him, his humor and his joie de vivre. You always felt loved and accepted by Bepa, because you were.

Bepa was preceded in death by Joan, his wife of 67 years, and his son Daniel. Surviving Bepa are: sister Nancy, son John and his wife Sue, son Glenn and his wife Mary, daughter Mary and her husband Steve, son Bill, son Steve and his wife Gail, grandchildren Nathan, Ben, Luke, Andrew, Gretchen, Alexis, Veronica and Cole and great-grandchildren Loken, Jonas, Finn, Esten, Mason, Max, Gracie and Noah.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to Trinity United Church of Christ at: CONTACT@TRINITYBROOKFIELD.ORG