Beth Seither

Beth Ann Seither (Hamlyn), 62, a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, "caw-caw" and friend, passed away July 31, 2024.

It is bittersweet to share that she passed away while in northern Wisconsin, a place that was truly her heaven on earth.

Surviving are her devoted husband of 25 years, Albert Seither Jr., of Clearwater, Fla.; sons, Bryce Seither, of Pinellas Park, Fla., Brett Seither, currently of Atlanta, Ga., and Bert Jr. (Deidra) Seither, of Tampa, Fla.; daughter, Shannon (Chris) Rodriguez, of Tampa, Fla.; grandchildren, Albert, Hero and Liv Seither, and Penelope, Everleigh and Savannah Rodriguez, all of Florida; father, Vernon (Swede) Hamlyn, of Bourbonnais; sister, Kathy (Jerry) Yonke, of Bourbonnais; brother, Bryan (Pam) Hamlyn, of Grant Park; sisters and brothers-in-law, Pat and Karl Quinn, of Round Hill, Va., and Nancy and Don Friday, of Ocean City, N.J.; and many other cherished family members.

Her family finds peace in knowing she is reunited in heaven with her beloved mother, Betty; her in-laws; and other family.

Beth was born in 1962, in Kankakee, and was a graduate of Bradley-Bourbonnais Community High School. Shortly after, she moved to Texas and began her life of service and helping others. In 1989, Beth began her career at Southwest Airlines, starting as an ops agent and spent most of her career as a flight attendant. She loved SWA and was devoted to her work until her retirement in 2009. While working in that industry, she met the love of her life, traveled the country for work and enjoyment and took full advantage of the "stand-by" perks for her and her family.

Throughout her entire life, she was always on the go. As a lover of traveling and exploring, it was easy for Beth to make a home wherever she went. Her loving personality, contagious laugh and big smile helped her to make lifelong friends in Illinois, Texas, Delaware, Maryland and Florida. Family and friends were always her number one priority, and most of the time, it would be easier to find her supporting them in any way they needed than it would be to find her at home. She was never more than a flight away from anyone who needed her, especially her family in Bourbonnais.

Beth was incredibly proud of her sons and did whatever it took to be the best mom she could be. She ensured they never missed out on anything, even if it meant she was wrangling two boys in a car or plane to get them where they needed to be. She was deeply invested in anything that they were passionate about and was their biggest cheerleader in all they did, from tractors and video games as little boys, to being the loudest mom on any of Brett's football fields and knowing every house Bryce had under contract as young adults. Through it all, she pushed them to be the best versions of themselves while instilling the amazing qualities they have today.

She gave 100 percent to anything and everything she was a part of. She was unapologetically herself and was a bright light in the lives of everyone she came in contact with. She was a devout Christian with firm faith, an avid traveler, loved to talk (debate) politics, found "therapy" in pulling weeds and cleaning a room from top to bottom, was the last person on the dance floor at a wedding, had more energy than a person could imagine and never turned down an adventure of any type, loved just to laugh and have fun, wouldn't say no to a good dessert or cocktail, enjoyed finding a great bargain, and most importantly, was always there for family and friends during the good times and bad.

While her afterlife in heaven did begin in Minocqua, Wis., it was a cherished place for Beth throughout her life. She had immense pride in continuing the legacy her mother's family started over 75 years ago and she never missed a summer "Up North." In 1998, she married Bert on special family land in Minocqua and passed this treasured summer tradition onto her children as well. Her family said, "We can't wait to celebrate her there for years to come as we share stories on the dock, swim to the raft and celebrate our time together as a family."

As Beth would always say when speaking about her family, "We are so blessed;" but her family added, "WE are truly the ones who were blessed to have her in our lives."

Services will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, at Maternity B.V.M. Catholic Church, Bourbonnais. A reception will follow at the Kankakee Country Club. Services in Clearwater, Fla., will take place at a later date.

Beth's family kindly requests "that you live each day as Beth would: as a kind, generous and serving soul. There was nothing she would not do for someone, and we ask that you continue to pay it forward in her honor. While keeping her spirit alive through our actions and treatment of others is most important to us, if you are so inclined, memorials can be made in Beth's name to the Minocqua/ Kawaga Lakes Protection Association (MKLPA). If you knew Beth, you knew she loved Lake Minocqua and would want it preserved for generations to come."

Please sign her online guestbook at clancygernon.com.