Robert James Siefken, 87, Dickinson, died Monday, January 10, 2011 at St. Joseph’s Hospital & Health Center, Dickinson. Robert’s funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Friday, January 14, 2011 at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Dickinson with Rev. Michael Wolters officiating. Interment will follow at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery with military honors provided by the Bismarck VFW Post #1326. Visitation will be on Thursday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Ladbury Funeral Service with the family present to greet friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Friday.
Robert James Siefken was born February 18, 1923 at Rembrandt, Iowa, the son of Renko and Emma (Rosene) Siefken. He was raised and educated in Rembrandt. He served honorably in the United States Army Air Corp during WW II from January 20, 1943 to December 10, 1945.
Robert married Phyllis L. Reel on July 25, 1951 in Gillette, Wyo. He had driven truck and drilled water wells prior to beginning a career as a seismograph driller, where he had traveled all over the world. Following his retirement Robert spent nearly 20 years driving cars for K&D Motors.
Robert enjoyed working on crossword puzzles, watching baseball (esp. the Cubs), going camping and fishing with the grandkids, and also following the kids activities.
Robert is survived by seven children, Fern (Leo) Earley, Georgetown, Texas, Judy (Darwin) Tople, Gettysburg, S.D., Bob (Vicki) Siefken, Dickinson, Starla (Gary) Dassinger, Dickinson, Rick (Lisa) Siefken, Pendleton, Ind., Terry Siefken and Jerry Siefken, Dickinson; 14 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; one great, great-grandchild; one sister, Shirley (Lee) Beneke, Des Moines, Iowa; and a special nephew, Steve Saunders. He was preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis on May 13, 1998; a son, Johnnie Lee Siefken; his parents; a brother, Richard Siefken; and a grandson, Barry Lee Tople.
