A. Sylvia Seaton

As per Sylvia’s wishes, we are not allowed to state the obvious in her obituary, such as, “she loved her family,” but rather we are allowed to share the following:   She was born in Perley, Minnesota to Selmer and Laura (Lee) Gaare in the Red River Valley.  She attended country school and graduated from Borup High school when she was 16.  She was a cheerleader (they wore bell hop outfits) and won many singing contests in 4-H and elsewhere.  She attended Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota where she was a member of the Concordia Choir under F. Melius Christiansen.  She was graduated at age 20 with a teaching degree in Business and German, with a minor in Music.

She taught one year in Borup, Minnesota, but then moved to Verndale, Minnesota where she taught until 1965.

In Verndale she met her husband, Earl Seaton who was also a teacher and coach.  While teaching in Earl’s hometown of Verndale, they hosted many parties and put on plays for the town. Their two children, Peter and Laura were born there.  The family moved to La Crescent, Minnesota to work in the new high school.  While teaching in La Crescent, Sylvia received a Master’s degree from Winona State University.

Sylvia loved her students and found special joy in the unusual and creative student.  She taught German with a Norwegian accent.  She was the Cider Press High School newspaper advisor and the coach of the Quiz Bowl team at La Crescent.

She did not suffer fools gladly. She disliked manual labor and housework.  She loved to correct errors in grammar, or any other fault she thought needed mentioning.  She loved her house and yard and loved to hire people to take care of both. She sang in many choirs and directed the Methodist Church choir for many years.  She felt her voice got better in her final years, and sang for anyone who would listen.

She remained in her home until her death, thanks mostly to her friend, surrogate daughter and caretaker, Linda Tikal Gasper, who allowed Sylvia to teach her some Norwegian and to listen to her singing.    Our thanks also to caretakers, Sandy Jore, Bonnie Thompson LaPiano, Molly Wickershen, Becky Kahle, Paige Barnes, Kacey Schoepp, Lisa Buck, Kendall Schmidt and Ashley Lex. Sylvia is survived by her children, Laura (Thomas Felsheim) Seaton and Peter (Cindy) Seaton and grandchildren, Maxwell Seaton Felsheim (Anna Miller) and Jacob Earl (Megan) Seaton, Melissa (Wes) Huffman and Emily (Rod) Galvin.  She was predeceased by her husband, Earl Seaton, and, by her account, by almost everyone.  Many people said her husband was a funny person, but all who knew her, knew she was the funny one. She is greatly missed by her many friends, students, and especially her family.  She is now singing with the angels.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, September 7, 2017 at 11:00 a.m., visitation at the church at 10:00 a.m. on September 7 ^th at the La Crescent Methodist Church, 520 Elm Street North, La Crescent, Minnesota with Reverend Aaron Justice officiating. A private family burial will be held at the Toledo Cemetery next to her husband of sixty-seven years, who passed away January 4, 2015.