Johanna Marie Galdun Sievert, 78, entered eternal life on Friday, after a courageous 16-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Johanna was born in Cleveland, Ohio on May 13, 1939 to Anna and Steve Galdun. She graduated from Lakewood High School in 1957 and attended Kent State University. She was married to Gene Edmund Sievert on September 18, 1965. Upon moving to Huntsville in 1978 she became a member of Grace Lutheran Church and attended Holy Spirit Catholic Church with her husband. Johanna devoted her life to loving and caring for her family and anyone in need. She had a passion for serving others without expecting anything in return. Her genuine love for humanity was exemplified in her daily service to friends and neighbors, whether she was taking food to a homebound neighbor, driving a friend to church or a doctor’s appointment or caring for her elderly mother-in-law. Her genuine concern for others was apparent. Johanna had a deep love for music, especially singing. She was always singing. She sang with Good Shepherd’s choir and Huntsville Community Chorus for years, but some of her most beautiful songs were the ones sung everyday while joyfully caring for her home and family. Her beautiful voice will be missed, but her songs will live on through the many people she touched.
Johanna was preceded in death by her parents, Steve and Anna Galdun and her half-brothers, Bobby and Arthur. She is survived by her husband Gene; her three daughters; Cheryl Michael of Huntsville, Michelle Buchanan (Richard) of Huntsville, Mara-Lee Khouzami (Carim) of Baltimore and six grandchildren; Anna Marie Buchanan, McCarley McMichens (Troy), Vann Buchanan, Ella Michael, Trevor Khouzami and Eloise Khouzami.
Visitation will be from 9 to 10 a.m. Monday at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. The funeral mass will follow with Father Michael Mac Mahon officiating. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Mid-South Chapter, 117-A Longwood Dr. SE, Huntsville, AL 35801 or online at http://act.alz.org/goto/HonorJohanna.
