Doris (Dorlee) Myrlee Siemsen

1923 - 2014

Funeral services for Doris M. Siemsen, 90, were conducted by Pastor Steven Daiker on Monday, Sept. 29, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. at the Ross Calvary United Methodist Church in Ross. Inurnment will be the Maple Grove Cemetery in Audubon, at a later date. The honorary casket bearers were James Bobenmoyer, Lee Nielsen, Gary Wegner, Bob Nelson, Milo Clemmensen, and Jim Nelson. The casket bearers were Neil Baier, Cory Baier, Terry Baier, Phil Betts, Robert Nielsen, and Don Mack. The Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon was in charge of the arrangements.
Doris (Dorlee) Myrlee Siemsen, the daughter of Cecil and Mary(Que) Cox, was born Dec. 18, 1923, at her parents' home in Indianola, and died Sept. 20, 2014, at the Friendship Home in Audubon, at the age of 90 years, 9 months, and 2 days.
Dorlee attended grade school in Indianola and then graduated from the Johnston High School in Johnston, with the Class of 1941. She moved to Chicago, Ill., where she was employed as a secretary for several years. She then moved to Des Moines, and worked there for a short time.
On March 16, 1947, she was united in marriage to Charles Siemsen at the Grace Methodist Church in Des Moines. Three children Nancy, David, and Dorene were born to this union. They lived in Cameron Township and operated the John Siemsen home farm. Dorlee helped Chuck operate the farm. She raised chickens, milked cows, and grew a large vegetable garden. During the fall she would also sort corn for the Garst Company. Dorlee worked in the office of the Audubon County Memorial Hospital in Audubon for a short time then started working at the Audubon State Bank. She first started posting checks then later became a Teller and worked in this capacity until she retired. Dorlee and Chuck enjoyed ballroom dancing, square dancing, and playing cards. After Chuck retired they moved to Ross, where they made their home for 30 years.
Dorlee was a member of the Ross Calvary United Methodist Church in Ross, and served as the Treasurer for many years. She was a member of a Neighborhood Club and was an avid reader. She was an excellent cook making delicious cookies and was famous for her baked beans and pumpkin pie. But most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family especially the grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Dorlee was preceded in death by her husband Charles H. Siemsen; her parents; her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law DorOthy Betts, John Siemsen; Bea Siemsen; Nellie and husband LaVerne Farley; Bessie and husband Laurence Nielsen, Doris and husband Bob Booten; Melvin Betts, and Betty and husband Jim Seibert.
Survivors include her children: Nancy Poore of Ross; David and wife Diane Siemsen of Oakdale, Calif.; Dorene and husband Terry Baier of Audubon; her grandchildren: Rochelle Harmon of Durango, Colo.; Peter Siemsen, Sara Siemsen, and Jennie Siemsen all of Oakdale; Theresa Rustvold of Audubon; Neil and wife Nicole Baier of Davenport; Cory Baier of Audubon; Alisa Hilton of Wilmington, N.C.; her great-grandchildren: Allison Rustvold, Kyle Rustvold, and Seth Rustvold all of Audubon; Camdyn Baier and Jace Charles Baier both of Davenport; Trevan Hansen, Haddley Baier, and Tristan Baier all of Audubon; Bryce Hutchison of Wilmington; her brother-in-law Bryan Betts of Audubon; her sister-in-law Grace Betts of Omaha, Neb.; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.