09/30/2025
A reminder to myself of where I came from...
Hello I am Monte Siegrist’s granddaughter, Connie. I don’t think I realized how much honor and gratitude comes with that statement until now. To say how proud I am to be the granddaughter of this man is beyond an understatement.
Many of you know Monte as a builder and a businessman. The guy that loved to crack jokes and throw out witty one liners. The man that even wheel chair bound would get around town visiting with people and trying to make a difference in his community.
I know this man as my Papa. He was a man of few words around the house. He liked to sit in his chair and do crossword puzzles and wiggle his toes. No matter what the topic of conversation, he may have acted like he wasn’t paying attention but he was always listening. He and my grandmother Mema, were like a team. A problem solving team. If any one of us had a concern, the two of them would talk about it and tackle it together. Papa was always worried about the financial well being of our family. He helped me go to college and get a small business loan to pay for my photography business. He wanted to make sure that I had all the tools necessary to be successful. He taught me about never burning bridges, honoring your word, paying bills on time , and not spending more than you make.
He loved to travel. And appreciated the finer things in life. He took my grandmother on many trips and presidential annagurations. He would buy her beautiful jewelry to make sure she knew she was appreciated. Every anniversary he would bring her a single rose to let her know she was loved.
He took his grandkids on trips too. We went on Motorhikes to campsville for fish and a ferry ride and Memphis Hilton head and New Orleans. He always made sure we had a crisp “Benjamin” in our pocket. Unlike when his kids were growing up, they got the nickel cone or nothin.
He dedicated his whole life to his town and his family. He was a wonderful businessman but a horrible teacher. He always had a plan but anytime we would ask for the details he would just hold up his hand shake his head and say “it’s complicated”. When he would say that, we all would just shrug our shoulders and laugh because we knew it was handled. He made us feel safe.
After his passing, I can’t help but feel a huge hole in my heart. He used to be the guy that would rip me outta bed by my toes and say get up! It’s great to be alive! No one loved life and people more than he did.
I’m gonna miss the ol boy! But the life’s lessons he taught me and the legacy he has left behind is worth more to me than anything. I hope he is looking down at us all today and realizing that all his hard work here on earth has not gone unappreciated. We love you Papa! Fly high! Ill do my best to continue to make you proud!
