Adeline Briggs

ADELINE HARRIS
(SIEGFRIED) BRIGGS
Adeline “Addie” Briggs, 98, of Independence, MO passed away Wednesday, June 13, 2018. A memorial service is scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday, July 22, at Carson-Speaks Funeral Home on Lexington Avenue in Independence, with visitation from Noon-2 p.m. that day. She will be inurned in Rose Hill Cemetery, Lamoni, IA that evening at 7pm.

Adeline was born on March 19, 1920 in Brooklyn, NY to Charles Washington and Adeline Marie (Truman) Harris. Addie graduated from Madison High School in Brooklyn, NY, earned her Associate of Arts degree in 1939 from Graceland College (now University) in Lamoni, IA, completing a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1941 at Adelphi College (now University) in Garden City, NY. In 1942, she enlisted in the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC), later named Women’s Army Corps (WAC), achieving the rank of 1st Lieutenant, and she was a founding member of the Women in Military Service Memorial in Washington, D.C. In 1943, Addie married Charles M. “Mickey” Siegfried, and to this union bore five daughters. In 1960, Addie enrolled in the teaching certificate program at Central MO State College (now UCM-Warrensburg), following which she taught business education courses at St. Mary’s High School and then William Chrisman High School in Independence. Several years after she and Mickey were divorced, Addie reconnected with her college sweetheart, Roland K. “Ron” Briggs. They were married in 1978. After retiring, she enjoyed needlework, quilting, hardanger, cross stitch, camping and traveling, and captured many of those experiences with her excellent photography. Addie was known throughout her life as a fine athlete, and loved to swim and bike. She was a devoted member of Community of Christ Stone Church congregation and later attended Heritage House congregation. She was a member of the Independence Young Matrons, and served as Girls’ Director and was active with Stone Church women’s ministries, serving in leadership roles both at home and at youth camps.

Addie is preceded in death by husband Ron Briggs and daughter Janet Clausen. Survivors include siblings Charles Harris (wife Lois) and Janet Teeter; daughters Sandra Gustafson (husband David), Ruth Siegfried, Judith Siegfried (wife Judith Moning), and Marjorie Foster; stepchildren William Briggs, Ronald Briggs, and Sally Poindexter (husband Mark); son-in-law Mark Clausen; grandchildren Sarah Gustafson, Amy Maehler (husband Reinhold), Michael Clausen (wife Mary), Erin Somes (husband Jim), Tori Andrewson, Mitch Foster (wife Libby), Clint Foster (fiancé Nikki Logue), Kelley Walleck (husband Daryl), Mark Poindexter, and Veronica, Elizabeth, Andrew, and Peter Briggs; great-grandchildren Freddie Maehler, Evie Walleck, and Jamie Somes; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and lifelong friends.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.speakschapel.com. Donations can be made to InVision Foundation in memory of Addie Briggs; InVision is a nonprofit founded by her daughter Ruth; www.invisionhs.org/make-a-difference/donate or payable to InVision Foundation c/o Marjie Foster, director of InVision Foundation, 125 N. Silver, Lamoni, IA 50140.