Sandra Marie Siekaniec

Obituary for Sandra Marie Siekaniec (nee Goltz)

Sandra Siekaniec was born March 23rd, 1964 in Indianapolis, Indiana to Yolanda and Charles Goltz. She is survived by her husband of 38 years Thomas Siekaniec. They have been a resident of Menahga Minnesota for the past six years.

As a child, Sandra was very interested in animals and nurtured several generations of gerbils, a preview of sorts of her career to come. She also was creative, winning a Christmas coloring contest by drawing with light crayons on black construction paper, unlike the other entrants.

Sandra attended Plainfield Public Schools outside of Indianapolis then completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife Management at Purdue University. She was a career wildlife biologist and manager in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for 34 years, retiring in 2019.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her mother Yolanda Goltz, mother-in-law Char Siekaniec, her sister Sonia Goltz (Jim Northey), Brother-in-law Greg Siekaniec (Janelle), Nephews and nieces: Casey Siekaniec (Britni), Claire Siekaniec (Tyler), Jacob Northey (Brita), and Madeline Larson (Chad), and several great nieces and nephews. She also is survived by an uncle in Brazil, Onesimo Pereira, as well as many cousins in both Brazil and the U.S.

Sandra was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church, most recently attending the Hubbard United Methodist Church with her mother.

Sandra enjoyed the outdoors, gardening, having served recently as treasurer of a community Gardening Club, crafting, singing and music. She loved birds and dogs, especially her and Thomas' hunting dogs that were members of their family. Her career gave her extensive knowledge about the flora and fauna of the entire United States. She was adventurous and passionate about wildlife and natural areas. She lived every day by the motto that "Life is a Journey not a Destination".

Sandra's 34-year career took her from the Northeast corner of Maine to the far western reaches of Alaska, along with many states in between. She lived and worked at Fergus Falls Wetlands Management District, Minnesota; Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, Ohio; Seney National Wildlife Refuge, Michigan; Assistant Refuge Manager, Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge, North Dakota; Refuge Manager, Moose Horn National Wildlife Refuge, Maine; Refuge Manager, Tewaukan National Wildlife Refuge, North Dakota; Deputy Refuge Manager, Innoko National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska; Refuge Manager of the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska; Regional Office Budget Manager, Fort Snelling, MN; Regional Office Budget Manager, Alaska Regional Office

There will be a private service for Sandra on Tuesday, November 25th in Hubbard, Minnesota. Those wishing to remember Sandra are encouraged to donate in her memory to one of the following charitable organizations: The Friends of Itasca State Park https://www.friendsofitasca.org/ or The Friends of Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge https://www.tamaracfriends.org/,