Henry F. Seifert

Henry F. “Hank” Seifert of Bloomington age 92, passed away May 7, 2014, at home in the embrace of his daughter and granddaughter. Born Feb. 27, 1922, in Andover, S.D., Henry grew up in Minneapolis. He served in the US Navy in WWII as an Aviation Boatswains Mate First Class on the USS Langley in the South Pacific Fleet and graduated from the University of St. Thomas in 1952.  His part-time college job at Minneapolis AAA became a career. In addition to his work as building and mailroom supervisor, he was a tour escort and taught driver’s education.

After returning from the Navy he joined the Dominic Club, a social and service group for Catholic Singles.  It is there that he met Eileen Mullaney who would become his wife of 57 years. One of their activities was to provide entertainment for patients at the Anoka Mental Hospital by demonstrating folk dancing. The couple enjoyed the reaction of others when they said they met “at the Mental Hospital.”

Henry and Eileen moved to Bloomington and joined Assumption Parish in 1956.  He was one of the first lay ministers of the Eucharist commissioned at the Parish. He delivered cheer and Communion to the homebound, hosted religious discussion groups at his home, and shared his love of history through the Parish Archives Committee.  He opened the Church daily for morning Mass and hosted Wednesday hospitality. His love of gardening led him to tend flowers at the Church for many years and mentor their new vegetable garden program. Last year, the children of the Assumption Latino community followed him around the garden beds, learning how to grow nourishing food and flourishing in the kindness of an adopted grandfather. Even hours before his death, he held a meeting in his room to discuss how to plant this year’s gardens.

Hank believed in giving himself in service to others. He spent 80 years in the Boy Scouts of America, beginning as a scout at Incarnation Parish in Minneapolis and later mentoring youth in Sea Scouts, Emergency Response Explorers and Catholic Religious Emblems.  Over the years he served as a Unit and District Commissioner, chair of the Archdiocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting, and Viking 39 Service Troop member.  As curator of the Bearman Scout museum he brought displays of old-time scout camping equipment to District camping events. He met Scouts from all over the nation at the MSP Airport and helped them make connections to get to the Scout High Adventure Camp in the Boundary Waters.  He was recognized for his service to the BSA with the Silver Beaver Award, to local Catholic Scouting with the Bronze Pelican Emblem and to National Catholic Scouting with the St. George Emblem. He was extremely proud of his two Eagle Scout grandsons.

He received the WCCO Good Neighbor Award in 1966, was active in Toastmasters and Knights of Columbus for 40 years, and delivered Meals on Wheels.  Henry loved genealogy, recording his family history with his granddaughter, Sara, and sharing his appreciation of history with granddaughter, Amy.  His love for his family was only matched by his devotion to God.

Preceeded in death by wife Eileen Mullaney Seifert, sister Mary Patricia Ryan, and parents George and Mary Seifert. Survived by daughters Jean (Jim) Bellefeuille, Paula (Kevin) Koktan; grandchildren Amy (Mitch) Tromberg, Sara Koktan, John (Sarah) Bellefeuille, and Daniel Koktan; sister Elizabeth Joan McNally of Slidell, LA; sisters-in-law Mary Ellen Mullaney of Bloomington, Kay Cummings of San Diego, CA; cousins, nieces and nephews.