J. Robert "Bob" Siefer

J. Robert (Bob) Siefer passed away on the morning of September 26, 2025. Celebration of Life services will take place Saturday, October 25, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Lakeside Presbyterian Church. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements. Bob was born January 17, 1927, to John and Lucile Siefer in the little panhandle town of Dalton, Nebraska. A colicky ten pounder at birth, his folks were uncertain for a few days if he'd live. He made it to 98 years and 8 months. Growing up Bob loved spell-downs at school, reading, his pony, and pestering his sister--not necessarily in that order. Stories of the pranks pulled on Betty Jean, who was nearly 5 years older, are legendary, but the family favorite is when he found his sister's teenage diary, memorized the juicy parts featuring her boyfriends, and then much to her dismay sang them periodically to the family while in the car on vacation. By the time Bob reached high school, life got more chaotic because of WWII. He spent those years in three different schools from Dalton and Sidney, Nebraska to Portland, Oregon, where the family moved during his sophomore year. In addition to wrestling, he managed to play 6 man football in Dalton during his freshman and senior years and then 11 man football in Portland, lettering in all. Once football was finished, Bob earned adult wages during his sophomore and junior years by working nights at the shipyard in Portland after attending school during the day. Back in Dalton for his senior year, he was 17 when he enlisted in the Navy and because he was a good student, talked his counselor into finding enough credits to let him graduate at the end of the first semester. After basic training, he completed the Aircrewman Gunners Course, graduating 12th out of 154 men. When the war ended, Bob took advantage of the GI Bill to attend college at Denver University. During a school vacation, he met Mary Katherine Wiedeburg in Sidney, and it wasn't long before the two married and settled back on the family farm. When his first two crops got hailed out, Bob branched out by adding 1,000 sheep not knowing anything about them but believing he could figure it out. He did and that stabilized the family finances. Meanwhile, Bob became a father to John, Dan, Jane, and Laurie. He knew how important education would be for his children and involved himself in their schooling by serving on the Dalton School Board and then as the elected president of the Nebraska State School Boards Association in 1961-62. A lifelong member of the Presbyterian church, Bob was attending a meeting for elders in 1960 when the minister announced that Hastings College was looking for someone to fill a development and estate planning position. He applied, got the job, and moved the family to Hastings where he worked to become the Director of Development, before moving on to Storm Lake, Iowa in a similar role in 1966. At Buena Vista College, now BVU, he spent 24 years moving up through the ranks of administration to Vice President of Estate Planning and Development and then to Acting President in his last year 1989-90. He was presented an Honorary Doctor of Humanities Degree in 1990 for his leadership and dedication to the school. In their retirement, Bob and Mary enjoyed living in a lakeside townhouse on Storm Lake, fishing and boating on the lake, travels to see their kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids, as well as ventures to Asia and Europe. Mary passed after 65 years of marriage in 2013. Watching weather patterns and televised golf were always among Bob's interests, but he also learned his way around Facebook in his nineties so he could keep up with the latest among his family and friends. To be close to the many family members living nearby, Bob moved to Minnesota where he enjoyed his years at Orchard Path Assisted Living in Apple Valley. Throughout his life, his intelligence, kindness, empathy, sage advice, and willingness to help others, along with his quick sense of humor and positive attitude allowed him to claim many friends. Bob's large family gathered at Orchard Path to celebrate his 96th, 97th, and 98th birthdays and to honor him for his wit, wisdom, and the wealth of happiness he brought to all. He will be missed. Cherishing his memory are his children: John (Marianne) Siefer of Sioux Falls, SD, Dan (Merrianne) Siefer of Storm Lake, IA, Jane (Jim) May of Friendswood, TX, and Laurie (Steve) Sauerbry of Apple Valley, MN. Grandchildren include Jeremy (Rory) Siefer of San Antonio, TX, Josh (Lauren) Siefer of Northfield, MN, Shere Krusemark (Keith) of Lake Elmo, MN, Dana Siefer of Storm Lake, Natalie (Jed) Overmann of Shoreview, MN, Emily (Matt) Boyd of Eagan, MN, Jessica Siefer of Mendota Heights, MN, Meredith (Rob) Wise of Houston, TX, James (Taryn) May of Sanford, FL, Chelsea (Brad) Shelton of Woodbury, MN, Molly (Brent) Augustine of Chanhassen, MN. Great grandchildren include Brennan, Kyla, Jack, Samantha, Zach, Gracie, Addie, Drew, Olivia, Nora, Ella, Robert, Maryn, Ava, Jaida, Jack, Noah, Margo, Carter, Calvin, and Elle. Bob is preceded in death by his beloved wife Mary, his granddaughter Amanda May, as well as his sister and parents. Memorials may be made to the Buena Vista Scholarship Fund or Lakeside Presbyterian Church.