Lawrence Clarence Siebenaler

Lawrence C. Siebenaler, 89, of Great Falls, Montana passed away on November 18, 2021 at Benefis Hospital of Covid pneumonia.
Lawrence was born in North Dakota in 1932 to William and Elizabeth (Anglesburg) Siebenaler. His family moved to Three Forks, Montana in 1936 and later to Fort Benton in 1945. Lawrence graduated with an honors diploma from Fort Benton High School in 1950. After high school, Lawrence attended Eastern Washington College in Cheney, Washington. In December, 1952 he enlisted in the United States Army where he served as an instructor with the 44th Infantry Division, first at Camp Roberts, California and later at Fort Lewis, Washington. Upon completion of his term of service, Lawrence returned home to Fort Benton where he later met Martha Marinoff. He and Martha wed on September 5, 1956 in Fort Benton; sharing 65 years of marriage.
Lawrence began his professional career in 1957 when he started work as a bookkeeper for Chouteau County Bank. Lawrence retired from the bank in 1985 as Vice President/Cashier in charge of investments, personnel, operations, taxes, and computer operations. In 1988 Lawrence was appointed to the position by the county commissioners to fill the vacancy that resulted when the sitting treasurer resigned. He ran unopposed in 1990 and was re-elected in 1994. Lawrence retired after serving 10 years as county treasurer.
In his retirement, Lawrence took up baking so as to carry on a tradition passed down by his mother – have home baked cookies in the cookie jar, a cherry pie in the refrigerator, or cinnamon rolls on the cupboard for when family comes to visit.
Lawrence and Martha moved to Great Falls in 1999. They enjoyed long drives exploring the state of Montana as well as trips to California, Oregon, and Canada to visit family. A proud father, he would say the best thing he ever did was marry Martha and become a father.
Lawrence was charitable and civic minded. He was a charter member of the Fort Benton Jaycees, serving as secretary, vice president, and president. Notable accomplishments included Fort Benton's initial mosquito control campaign and securing and placing the keelboat Mandan – which had been built as a prop for the movie The Big Sky – on Fort Benton's levee. Lawrence was a founding member and director of the Memorial Ambulance Service which had been incorporated in 1967 for the purpose of purchasing and maintaining an ambulance to serve all of Chouteau County. Lawrence had also served as a board member of the local VFW and a life-long member of the Knights of Columbus and the American Legion.
He fished often with his dad when he was younger and later took his own family fishing who will always remember the multi-family outing when Lawrence was responsible for bringing the worms – but left the can of worms at home. He received a merciless ribbing from his fishing buddies that day and was not at all surprised to see a notice in The River Press the following week that read LAWRENCE FORGOT THE WORMS!
Lawrence had an infectious smile and was known to be a prankster by his siblings. He enjoyed solving crossword and jigsaw puzzles, playing checkers and cribbage, tending to his lawn and feeding the backyard birds. When he was younger, Lawrence was a league bowler and frequently played golf.
He loved music and had a large album collection. His children have fond memories of him playing a stack of LPs on the living-room console stereo after they had gone to bed and being lulled to sleep by the music.
A devoted husband, Lawrence took loving care of Martha who was diagnosed with dementia in 2017. Unable to continue to care for Martha at home, Lawrence moved her to a Great Falls memory care facility in October 2021. He would visit her daily, frequently bringing her baked goods from home.
Lawrence was preceded in death by his parents, William and Elizabeth; sisters Florence Mau and Genevieve Frieling; brothers-in-law Ernie Mau, Marvin Stevenson, and John E. Frieling; and sister-in-law Florence Siebenaler. His survivors include his loving wife, Martha; brother Warren Siebenaler of Fort Benton and sister Julia Stevenson of Great Falls; his daughters Anita (Dennis) Stone of Edmonton, Alberta, Colleen (Mark) Sweeney of Great Falls, Teresa (Sid) Scott of Portland, OR; sons, Wayne (April) of Tigard, OR and John (Nancy) of Portland, OR; 14 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews whom were profoundly affected by his devotion to them. Sadly, Lawrence died unexpectedly and will be deeply missed by family and friends.
A memorial service well be held next Summer. Donations can be made to the Fort Benton Memorial Ambulance in Lawrence's name.