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May 1, 2000
Turning 50 is four times as much funSeifert quads to observe50th birthdaythis weekBy FRITZ BUSCH Journal Staff Writer SLEEPY EYE -- The birth of quadruplets s to Arthur and Dolores Seifert was an earth-shaking event on May 4, 1950. Although the quads turn 50 this week, the event still carries significant magnitude. Martha, Monica, Michael and Marie Seifert were the first quads in Minnesota history. They were the 14th set of quads born in the United States, according to Martha. Today, Monica Clayton is a nurse in Colorado Springs, Colo. Marie Hoffmann is a school paraprofessional in Worthington, Martha Andersen has a similar job in Albert Lea and brother, Michael, of rural Sleepy Eye, raises springing heifers and works at golf courses. Sunday, they plan a 50th birthday party, from 1-4 p.m., at the Orchid Inn. The event is open to other quads across Minnesota. Martha has identified 27 quad sets in the state, 21 of them born in the 1990s. Medical experts say the recent rise in multiple births is due to fertility drugs. Other quads have been invited to the event, also. A quad group photo will be taken between noon and 12:30 p.m. Fifty years ago, the Seiferts of Stark Township already had a set of 14-year-old twins --Louis and Lowell. They also had four other children, when the quads were born six weeks prematurely. The other Seifert children were Marvin, 17; Gerald, 10; Viola, 8; and Teresa, 3. Gerald and Viola were attending the Iberia country school. The other children were at home. Marvin supervised the twins who picked up the milking chores while their father was with their mother in the hospital. Triplets were expected at first, according to x-ray examinations in New Ulm. Dolores Seifert went to Sleepy Eye Hospital at 2 p.m., May 3, 1950, to give birth. The first baby, a girl, was born 20 minutes later. Then another girl, then a boy and finally another girl at 5 p.m. the same day. The babies weighed between 2 pounds, 4 ounces and 4 1/2 pounds. Dr. E.E. Keithahn, the attending physician, said all the babies were "unusually well" right after they were born, according to news stories at the time. The quads, placed in incubators, were fed "Olac," a special preparation for premature babies, and water. The Seiferts waited to name the babies. The Journal and KNUJ held a "Name the Seifert Quads" contest, which was sponsored by Art Seifert himself. He offered $10 a name for the winners. Entries poured into the office. The Journal and KNUJ upped the ante to $25 for each name. After 5,000 contest entries, Delores Seifert named the babies Marie Delores, Martha Ann, Michael Arthur, and Monica Mae The quads remained in the hospital until they weighed five pounds. The Seifert mail count was estimated to be between 25,000 and 30,000 a week after the births. Neighbors and relatives helped them read the letters." During their first and second years, the quads appeared at the state fair where people paid 25 cents to see them. Mike recalled that one of the highlights of the their youth was taking trips to the Twin Cities with former boxer and restaurant owner Ernie Fliegel, who owned the 620 Club in Minneapolis. The quads ate at the 620 Club, went to Twins games and watched movies at the Cinerama until they reached their late teens. The quads represented Sleepy Eye in many parades, but they grew up on the farm without many frills. "These were just plain, hard-working, everyday farm kids that pitched manure and bailed hay," said Mike's wife Linda. " Mike is currently helping build the professional level Dachota Ridge Golf Club east of Morton as he continues to farm. Earlier, he worked as a groundskeeper at the Sleepy Eye Golf Club. Dad Art Seifert died in 1982. Mother Dolores Seifert lives at Divine Providence Community Home in Sleepy Eye.
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