Kuemper Catholic School Foundation receives $393,600 bequest

By KATIE LEFEBVRE, Globe staff reporter
May 18, 2006

CARROLL - Kuemper Catholic honored Margaret Seidl, Dedham native and Eternal Knight, and her generous bequest to the Kuemper Catholic School Foundation during a formal announcement on May 11.

Seidl's nephew, Martin Greving, announced that his aunt left the Kuemper Foundation $393,600.

As people gathered in the high school's front lobby, each received a program and packet of seeds, such as squash or pumpkin seeds, with the saying, "Eternal Knights - planting the seeds of faith for future generations," printed on them.

"We are very blessed here at Kuemper to have many generous people who allow us to plant those seeds. In turn, we are able to plant the seeds of faith in our young people," said Father Joe Dillinger, Kuemper chaplain.

During the opening blessing, the priest prayed, "We thank you for the many seeds that the Eternal Knights have planted, especially Margaret Siedl. May their seeds bare much fruit in the future as we plant the seed of faith in our young people. Send eternal blessings upon them and all who work to provide Catholic education for young people."

Jack Thein, Kuemper Foundation president, pointed out that this was an important day for the Kuemper Foundation. He noted that the Kuemper Foundation was founded in 1985.

"Catholic schools are rich in history going back to the 1870s beginning with Mount Carmel and their school," said Thein. "It is a sacred tradition that has become part of the culture and progressive spirit of Carroll and Carroll County. It is definitely worth celebrating."

He continued that the Kuemper Foundation is becoming an important "footing for securing a long-term future for our Catholic schools."

Thein mentioned that Siedl was very generous during her lifetime and her bequest will keep her generosity going for many future generations through the Kuemper endowment.

"She was proud of her distinguished nursing career and of her advanced degree, but her bequest in her will to Kuemper Catholic Schools shows how valued her early formative years of Catholic education were," said Thein. "She was an inspiring example for others to follow."

Greving then proceeded to the podium to talk about Siedl and announce the amount of the bequest.

"This truly is a super day. Those of you who know Margaret, know that a lot of times when she went to an event that she enjoyed or had a meal that she liked, she would say afterwards, 'This is super,'" said Greving. "It is a fitting tribute that so many people showed up to honor her today."

Seidl died in April 2005. She was born in 1909 in Dedham and attended St. Joseph School in Dedham through grade 10 and graduated from Mount St. Clare High School in Clinton, Iowa.

She entered the Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in Burlington, Iowa and was employed for 10 years there. Following World War II, Seidl attended Creighton University School of Nursing in Omaha and then enrolled in the School of Nursing at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

She worked at hospitals in the Washington, D.C. area until she retired in 1980. In 1988, she returned to Carroll to be closer to her family. She was a member of Holy Spirit Parish in Carroll.

"Margaret had an outstanding record of stewardship in Catholic education," said her nephew. "Her past contributions included being a loyal annual giver to the Friends of Kuemper Ball. She was a sponsor of an $11,000 renovation to the Kuemper High School Chapel in 1999, in memory of Sister Francis Xavier Seidl, her sister and long time chemistry teacher at Kuemper."

He continued listing other donations that she made over the years to Kuemper.

"Margaret had a very deep rooted faith that was evident in many different organizations and also the activities she participated in," said Greving. "Although she didn't have children of her own, this gift will touch the lives of many young students. Her bequest will help provide Catholic education for future generations."

Greving adde that Seidl remembered St. Joseph Church of Dedham and St. Mary Church of Willey in her will, too. According to Greving, over $670,000 was disbursed to local Catholic institutions by Seidl.

Dr. Thomas Tacheny, Kuemper superintendent, thanked Greving and noted that Greving is carrying on Seidl's tradition.

"Margaret knew what stewardship really meant, that the gifts of God given to us in life are to be used for our own good and then the good of others," said Tacheny. "Margaret has given a wonderful gift now by giving it to the Kuemper Catholic School Foundation. She will be able to continue giving that gift every year from this point on."

Tachney pointed out that Seidl has done more than give a sizable amount of money to the school, she has given her good example.

"The future students of Kuemper Catholic Schools will benefit greatly from this gift," said Tacheny.