Barbara McNeily Sellstrom Sigfusson
Barbara was born in Washburn, Wisconsin and raised in Rogers Park, Illinois. At age 20 she left the University of Illinois to marry and subsequently raise a family of four children with her husband Robert McNeily, founder of Railhead Corporation. Barbara and Bob first moved to Indian Head Park and later to Western Springs. Both Barbara and Bob were actively involved in the community; Barbara as co-founder of the Western Springs Historical Society, President of the Western Springs School Board and quite active in the Village during Bob’s term as President of Western Springs.
After the death of her first husband, Barbara married Roger Sellstrom and moved to Inverness, Illinois. Following Roger’s death after a prolonged illness, Barbara took over for Roger as Chairman and CEO of Sellstrom Manufacturing Company. During the next 10 years she oversaw the significant growth and expansion of the business. As the company set new sales and profit records, Barbara’s reputation spread. She was asked to give a series of speeches at the National Welding Supply Association’s annual and regional zone conferences explaining what it’s like being a female business owner in a male-dominated industry. “Barbara Sigfusson was one of the leading figures in our industry,” asserts Dan Shipp, President of the International Safety Equipment Association. “She was one sharp business person, but she was also fun to work with. From the executive suite to the factory floor, everybody who knew her, liked her and respected her.”
Barbara emerged as a business mentor and role model for many. By age 62, she had been named to the Board of Cole Taylor Bank. “It was uncommon back then to find a woman running a family-held manufacturing company,” recalls Jeff Taylor, former Chairman of Cole Taylor bank. “Barbara reflected our bank’s client base while adding the diversity of a woman’s perspective.”
“We were fortunate to have her come onto the board when she did,” adds his brother Bruce Taylor, Vice Chair of MB Financial, which merged with Cole Taylor in 2013. “Our bank was going through a difficult time, and Barbara’s insights helped get us through it.”
During that period, Barbara also chaired the Welding Equipment Manufacturers Association, the Private Industry Council of Northern Cook County, the Safety Industry Exhibitors Council of the National Safety Committee, Career Women Inc., the Illinois Prairie State Girl Scouts Council, the American Scandinavian Council, the Meadow Club, and presided over the Palatine Chamber of Commerce. Barbara was also a member of the Illinois State Chamber of Commerce, and held Board seats on the National Association to Prevent Blindness and Lutheran Social Services of Illinois. She sat on the Budget Advisory Panel for the State of Illinois and the Career-Cooperative of Illinois.
In 1985, Barbara married for the third time to Benedict Sigfusson, an architect and business owner. When Barbara retired in 1992, she and Ben spent the subsequent years together traveling and enjoying their extended families. Ben died in 2013.
Barbara is survived by her children Karen McNeily; Bob McNeily (Kathy); Liz Asperger (Jonathan); and Kevin McNeily (Mary Jo); her brother Jim Mitchell (Bobbie); step-children; and 22 grandchildren.
A memorial service will be conducted at 3:00 p.m. on June 3, 2017 at Plymouth Place, 315 N. La Grange Road, La Grange Park, Illinois.
In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to make donations to the Community Nurse Health Center of La Grange, Illinois or the charity of your choice.
I am sad to hear of her passing. I work at Sellstrom in Palatine when she was the president. She was a great person and she care for her employees. She will be missed.
Thank you, Ramon, for your kind words. My mother did care very much for each and every employee and for Sellstrom Manufacturing. I visited there recently and talked with some of the employees about the old days. It is good to know that everyone’s hard work keeps the company moving forward. Best wishes to you.
Karen McNeily (Barbara’s oldest daughter)