Category Archives: Grief

Judith “Judy” Anne Seeger

6 Replies

April 12, 1943 – July 16, 2026

Judy died after a long illness, surrounded by family and friends, having been lovingly cared for by The Edward F. Tokarski Home, Hillview Senior Care, and Willamette Vital Health, (formerly known as Willamette Valley Hospice).

Judy stayed close to home for her whole life and was a beloved member of her family and community. She was the second oldest of twelve children born to Anton “Tony” and Genevieve Lackner, and grew up on their family farm in Scio, Oregon, attending grade school in Stayton and high school in Sublimity.

It was during high school she met her future husband, David “Dave” Monroe Seeger. After graduation, Judy attended college, and Dave went to automotive school in St. Louis where he excelled. He was so good, the school invited him to stay on as a teacher, but he came back to Oregon for Judy. They married on October 3, 1964, and then lived briefly in Stayton and Salem before settling in Sublimity with their two children, Christopher “Chris” Michael and Jill Marie Seeger.

While her kids were at Sublimity Elementary School, Judy was directly involved with their education, acting as a chaperone on school field trips, helping out in the classroom, and even serving on the school board. Once her kids were in high school, Judy went to work, spending most of her career as an Office Manager at both Stayton Middle School and Mari-Linn. Even after she retired, she spent time volunteering at Sublimity Elementary School helping kids with their reading. Being retired also allowed Judy to spend more time with her two granddaughters, Chris’s daughters’ Jessamy and Annika “Annie” Seeger. Some of the best times of her life were being with “the girls” and going to all their basketball, soccer, and softball games. In her final years, she also enjoyed spending time with Jessamy’s children, her great-grandchildren Lianore “Lia” and Warren, and in particular adored holding their new baby sister, Hallie.

Judy fully enjoyed her life and spread that joy to all those who were lucky enough to know her. In particular she loved sharing a good meal, playing card games, reading a good book or watching a movie, going for a drive in the country, taking a walk, sewing, working in her garden, thrift store shopping, music, a good laugh, and the company of her family and many friends. She will be remembered for her sense of humor, kindness and generosity, as well as her ready smile.

Judy is now reunited with her husband Dave, her loving parents, two of her siblings, and many dear friends who went home before her. She will be missed by the siblings, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends still here, and yet she left them with many wonderful memories, and loved them enough to last until they see her again.

For those interested in making a gift in her honor, the family suggests planting a tree in Oregon through A Living Tribute or The Trees Remember, or donating to the Marion Polk Food Share or Willamette Vital Health. Celebration of Life details to be announced at a later date.

David “Dave” Monroe Seeger

3 Replies

David “Dave” Monroe Seeger
April 13, 1941 – October 2, 2023

Dave died at home in Stayton, Oregon in the company and care of his family and hospice team. His spirit remained stubborn and strong right to the end.

Dave was born in Mehama, Oregon to Albert and Edith Seeger. Albert and Edith had six children – Virginia (Rogers), Robert, Lois (Pietrok), Joan, David, and Phillip. At the time of Dave’s birth, the family lived in a home on the North Fork of the Santiam River, later moving “to town” to reside in Lyons, Oregon, where Dave continued school, eventually graduating from Stayton High School. As a kid, Dave loved animals and anything mechanical.

It was during high school he met his future wife, Judith “Judy” Anne Lackner. Even though they attended different schools, they had a few friends in common. After graduation, Judy attended college, and Dave went to automotive school in St. Louis where he excelled. He was so good, the school invited him to stay on as a teacher, but he came back to Oregon for Judy, whom he married on October 3, 1964. They lived briefly in Stayton and Salem before settling in Sublimity with their two children, Christopher “Chris” Michael and Jill Marie Seeger.

Dave was a mechanic for many years at German Motors in Salem, Oregon, before starting his own business, Cascade Motors, which he ran out of a shop he had built next to their home in Sublimity. During his years as a mechanic, Dave was known to be incredibly talented and extremely fair. After closing down Cascade Motors, Dave spent a few years working with his son at his shop, L-5 Vee Dub in Salem, Oregon, before retiring to be a fulltime grandpa to his two granddaughters, Chris’s daughters Jessamy and Annika “Annie” Seeger. Some of the best times of his life were being with “the girls” and going to all their basketball, soccer, and softball games.

Besides his family and being a mechanic, Dave was interested in photography, loved to read, could fix just about anything, liked to go for long drives in the country, adopted the occasional stray cat, and was known for his sarcastic sense of humor. He had a tough exterior but a tender heart. His name, David, means “beloved” and he will be greatly missed, in particular by his wife Judy, son Chris, daughter Jill and her husband Eric Salahub, granddaughters Jessamy and Annie, and Jessamy’s children, his great-grandchildren Lianore and Warren.

~As per Dave’s wishes, there will be no memorial service. For those interested in making a gift in his honor, the family suggests planting a tree in Oregon through A Living Tribute or The Trees Remember, or donating to Marion Polk Food Share or Willamette Vital Health (formerly known as Willamette Valley Hospice).