Published on October 19, 2026 2:32 pm
Last Updated on October 20, 2026 5:47 am
Anita Sidener, 99, of Altamont, died at 10:48 a.m., Monday, October 19, 2026 at Lutheran Care Center, Altamont.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 24, 2026 at Friedens United Church of Christ, Farina with Jim Giffin officiating. Burial will follow at Farina Cemetery. A visitation will be held two hours prior to service time at the church. Memorials may be made to Friedens United Church of Christ, Farina or Lutheran Care Center, Altamont. Gieseking Funeral Home, Altamont is assisting the family with arrangements.
Anita K. Sidener was born on Monday, November 1, 1926 in Farina, IL to Walter Charles and Laura (VanCleve) Leonard, Sr. She married Winton Sidener on January 19, 1946 in Farina and they celebrated almost 64 years of marriage prior to his death on January 16, 2010. She was a member of Friedens United Church of Christ. Recently she had been honored with being recognized for her 75 years of membership to the Effingham County Home Extension. Many pages were turned in her long life and she was one of the few remaining survivors of the April 9, 1949 St. Anthony’s Hospital fire that she reflected on and carried with her.
This Saturday her family was gathering to celebrate her 100th birthday and she was 13 days from reaching that milestone. Instead of the earthly party she was looking forward to she is now having her ultimate heavenly celebration.
She is survived by; her daughters, Sandy (Jim) Beccue, St. Elmo and Pat (Lynn) Tappendorf, St. Elmo; brother, Walter Charles (Ann) Leonard, Jr., Greenville; 4 grandchildren, Dawn (Kent) Allen, Jamie (Renee) Beccue, Chris (Casey) Tappendorf, and Brett (Dessa) Tappendorf; 11 great grandchildren, Dalton (Hope) Allen, Brock Beccue, Jaiden Tappendorf, Camdyn Tappendorf, Andrew Tappendorf, Everley Tappendorf, Brooks Tappendorf, Leah Tappendorf, Clara Tappendorf, Konner Howell and Rylan Howell; 2 great-great grandchildren, Leah Allen and Lane Allen; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by; her infant son, Robert, son, K. DeWayne Sidener; brother, Caryl Leonard and sister, Margaret Dorr.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.giesekingfh.com.