Frank Leroy Sivesind

Frank L. Sivesind, 83, of Waukon, IA passed away peacefully at his lifelong home on Friday, October 24, 2025. Funeral services will be held Monday, October 27th, at 1:00 PM at Zalmona Presbyterian Church in rural Waukon with burial to follow at the church cemetery. A celebration of life is being held afterward at Empty Nest Winery on Monday, October 27th, from 3:00 - 7:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Veterans Memorial Hospital or Zalmona Presbyterian Church cemetery fund, both in Waukon. Martin – Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling the arrangements.

Frank Leroy Sivesind was born November 2, 1941, in Waukon, IA, to John and Olive (Tolander) Sivesind. Frank grew up and worked on the family farm while attending area country school. He graduated from Waukon High School in 1959, and was actively involved in basketball, baseball, 4-H, and FFA. Frank took pride in his work as a county Dairy Herd Improvement Association (DHIA) supervisor through which he made many lifelong friends and memories.

Frank first met Carol Kruger through 4-H and later reconnected, sharing their love of dancing. They were married on June 15, 1963, and made their first home in rural Decorah, IA. While there, Frank continued testing cows and started his own dairy herd. In 1964, they moved to Frank's home farm and began their lifelong dairy farming endeavor, which would occupy their lives for the next 60 years. The farm had been home to Guernsey cows since the 1920s. With hard work and determination, Frank and Carol continued to expand the herd and the farming enterprise over the years. While farming in Union Prairie Township, often under the glow of the moonlight, Frank established the "Prairie Moon" prefix to register his cows with the American Guernsey Association. Prairie Moon has been well known and respected by dairy show enthusiasts for over six decades. Frank showed his prized Guernseys at numerous shows across the Midwest, achieving many honors. Highlights include State Fair Champions, the first Guernsey to be selected Supreme Champion at the National Cattle Congress, as well as twice showing the Grand Champion Guernsey at the World Dairy Expo in Madison, WI. He also loved judging at numerous dairy shows throughout the Midwest. Frank recently watched the World Dairy Expo show online, where he was overjoyed to see Prairie Moon Cadet Anni named Reserve Junior Champion.

Frank has been a member of and served leadership roles in various organizations including: American Guernsey Association, Iowa Guernsey Breeders, 4-H leader, dairy judging coach, Zalmona Presbyterian Church, and many others. Frank has been a mentor to many young people over the years encouraging their involvement in Guernseys and show cattle. Past honors include: American Guernsey Association Outstanding Breeder, American Guernsey Association Outstanding Young Farmer (1976), Iowa Guernsey Breeders Pioneer Breeder (2015), and Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame inductee (2009).

Beyond his love for Guernseys and farming, his greatest pride and joy were his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He shared endless amounts of stories, daily phone calls, countryside drives, and ice cream with all of them. He especially enjoyed trips to the Whippy Dip in his prized Thunderbird. With his Golden Guernseys, came a heart of gold. Frank brought a smile to everyone around him. He was always willing to lend a helping hand, while never wanting recognition or expecting anything in return. His hard work and determination showed as he worked diligently on the farm up until his final weeks.

Frank is survived by his wife of 62 years, Carol; children: Dan (Jane) Sivesind, Lori (Terry) Anderson, Mary (Brad) Kerndt, and Peggy Sivesind (Perry Fahey); grand and great-grandchildren: Leeta (Scott) Votsmier (Henley, Mace, and Mick), Lars (Melissa) Sivesind (Clara and Andie), Landon Sivesind, Leslie (Blake) Courtney, Ike Anderson, Eve Anderson, and Katie (Brendon) Kacher (Drake); siblings: Correen Troendle, Gene (Jane) Sivesind, Marian Olson, Alice (Dave) Terbeest, Ann (James) Kvam, brother- and sister-in-law Roger and Janet Kruger; and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents John and Olive Sivesind, brother and sister-in-law Gordon and Donna Sivesind; brother-in-law Kenneth Troendle; and grandson Ben Kerndt.

Honorary casketbearers are Arlyn "Butch" and Lois Fossum, John and Sheryl Prestemon, Bill and Joyce Steffenson, and Allen Goeke

Casketbearers are Lars Sivesind, Landon Sivesind, Ike Anderson, Greg Fahey, Craig Grotegut, Larry Kruse, Scott Willger, and Craig Yohe.

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