Memorial

Phyllis Amelia Seidl, 98, of Cedar Rapids, died peacefully on Monday, October 26, 2026, at her home in Meth-Wick Community, having lived a good and productive life to the end. Her funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, November 2, 2026, at St. Pius X Church in Cedar Rapids, with visitation commencing at 9:30 a.m. A rosary will be said at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 1, followed by a vigil at 4:00 p.m. and public visitation from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. In a final act of selfless service, Phyllis has chosen to donate her body to the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine’s Deeded Body Program. Burial will take place at a later date.

Phyllis was born on September 17, 1928, in Olpe, Kansas. Her father was a cattleman. Her mother was a farm wife, which means she was a hand, a cook, a washer woman, a seamstress, and responsible for raising six children, of whom Phyllis was the oldest. Phyllis grew up on the rim of the dust bowl, remembering the dirt drifts that would pile up inside of the window cracks and the years when plowing the soil to plant only caused it to blow away. Her parents were as deeply faithful as they were industrious, which instilled in Phyllis not only a keen work ethic but also a deep and enduring devotion to God through her Catholic faith. Her faith was the basis of her life story in which prayer was a meaningful conversation with God, informing all of her daily actions and relationships.

In her younger years, Phyllis worked. She called in and milked the cattle, helped to plant and harvest the garden, dressed chickens, cared for her younger siblings, and did whatever other chores were called for. And she was a good kid—valedictorian of her high school class and a basketball player when not many girls were athletes. She was smart, tough, stoic, tireless, and fun.

After high school Phyllis started her adventures by moving to Omaha to train as a stenographer to support the war effort, but the war ended before her training did, so she taught dance at the Arthur Miller Academy and took clerical jobs at Mutual of Omaha and later a downtown law firm. In her spare time, she helped at the Omaha Community Playhouse, building sets, sewing costumes, and doing makeup. 

There was a young associate at the law firm she worked for, Jerry Seidl, who was not as grown up as Phyllis but every bit as stubborn, which means they had something in common. And as was bound to happen they were married, on June 25, 1955, a union that lasted until Jerry’s passing on December 4, 2020.

Phyllis and Jerry had seven children, fifteen grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren, who collectively were their light and joy. Phyllis cherished her family and taught by example – showing her family what it meant to roll up your sleeves and work hard, but also how to care for others, create long and enduring friendships, give back to church and community, and never forget to have fun. Her children remember Colorado vacations, camp outs, trips to Europe for each newlywed couple, singalongs at the Colony Marketplace in South Amana, the aromas of Thanksgiving and the crowded Christmases in the house on Brentwood Drive, and the way she giggled if you kissed her on the cheek. 

Phyllis was an amazing cook and seamstress. She was always experimenting with new recipes, and you could tell something delicious was in the oven even before you crossed the threshold. And her work desk was constantly strewn with various sewing projects, including Christmas tree skirts and baby pillows custom-crafted for each of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Phyllis was also worldly. Together with Jerry, she travelled to nearly every continent, and to many more than once. Many of their travels were through Friendship Force, which allowed them to immersively experience multiple cultures, people, and world faiths. She and Jerry also hosted exchange students and young professionals through Friendship Force from many countries over the years, often for months at a time.

Throughout her entire life, Phyllis consistently kept herself involved in more than just family activities. For years she was a home representative for a cosmetics company. She also was a constant fixture at St. Pius X Parish, serving on the parish council, administering the Eucharist at local hospitals and to shut-ins, serving as a greeter at Mass, volunteering at countless parish events and fundraisers, helping with church bingo, hosting the Pilgrim Virgin, participating in prayer chains, being a part of the ladies circles and becoming president of the Ladies Guild. She was also an avid bridge player and belonged to several clubs, one of which she formed as a fundraising vehicle for St. Pius. Phyllis was, in many ways, an early feminist, participating in an investment club during the 1970s when it was hardly fashionable for a woman to be shrewd: it was at that time she recalled the name of a family that lived near her apartment in Omaha and suggested she and Jerry get a couple of shares in a company their son was running. The family was the Buffetts and the company was Berkshire Hathaway. Over the years, Phyllis fundraised for the American Heart Association, the Alzheimer’s Association, and other charities. She was a docent at the Czech and Slovak Museum, and a member of the Cedar Rapids Literary Club. And for decades she and Jerry served as election officials for almost every election in their home precinct, from bond issues to presidential voting. 

Phyllis is survived by her seven children and their families: Phill and Lauri Seidl of Cedar Rapids and their children, Liz (Brad Thompson) and John (Kari) Seidl; Ann and Rich Diers of Lincoln, Nebraska, and their children Jessica (Matt) Pauly and Anthony (Katelyn) Diers; Mark and Anne Seidl of Cedar Rapids, and their children Amelia (Jacob) McDonald and Daniel Seidl; Daniel (Wanda) Seidl of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Mary (Tony) Chicchelly of Cedar Rapids, and their children Sarah (Grant Kamin) Chicchelly and Hannah (Brady Spiess) Chicchelly; Sarah (Kari) Seidl of Tiffin and their children Tyler, Alison and Michael Seidl; and Rebecca (Joe) Lesnik and their children, Luke (Jason) Schwarzhoff, and Max, Gregory and Timothy Lesnik. She is also survived by her great grandchildren Olivia, Christopher, George, Isaac and Ava Seidl, Charlotte, Langston, Everett and Wren Diers, and Frances, Ambrose and Blaise Pauly. She is also survived by her brother-in-law Clinton Grieder.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, John and Leona; her brother Donald and his wife Marge, and her sisters Una (Albert) Walters, Leta (Ross) Metzger, Doris (Dewayne) Ziegler and their spouses, and her youngest sister, Janice Grieder.

Phyllis was so many things to so many people, and we know her earthly presence leaves a void. But it also leaves an indelible mark. As Phyllis’s life of service has come to a close, it was her wish that she might have inspired others to serve too. In that vein, she asked that any memorials be directed to St. Pius X Church, the Meth-Wick Community and the local Alzheimer’s Association chapter.

Phyllis’s family would like to thank the entire nursing staff and her friends at the Stewart neighborhood of Meth-Wick Community for the loving care they provided her through her final months.