Maye A. Siefkes

Maye A. Siefkes, age 85, of Laurens, Iowa and formerly of Storm Lake, Iowa, died Monday, March 16, 2009 at Hovenden Good Samaritan Care Center in Laurens. Services for Mrs. Siefkes will be held Friday, March 20, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Storm Lake. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements. There will be no visitation. Those who wish to send online messages of condolence to the family may do so via the funeral home website: www.fratzkejensen.com Maye was born August 8, 1923 in Somers, Iowa, the daughter of Andrew and Lillian (Miller) Knudsen. She was baptized in the Methodist Church in Fort Dodge, Iowa on April 2, 1939, and confirmed her faith at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Pocahontas, Iowa on December 11, 1949. Her family moved to Fort Dodge when Maye was in the second grade. She finished her education at Fort Dodge Community School, graduating from Fort Dodge High School in 1941. Mayeâ€™s family owned and operated a creamery and as a child, she looked for every opportunity to go to work and be around her â€œdaddy.â€ When she was 16 years old, a young man named Virgil Siefkes came into the creamery to do some business, and a lifelong romance began. On January 24, 1942, Maye and Virgil were united in marriage in Grant City, Missouri. The couple was blessed with a son, Larry, and twin daughters, Susan and Sandra. Virgil enlisted in the United States Army in November of 1942. Maye moved to California during that time to be with her family. While living there she was employed as an airplane parts inspector, worked for the post office and worked at the New York Stock Exchange. After Virgil was discharged from the service, he and Maye moved to Pocahontas, Iowa, where Virgil was employed by the Rural Electric Cooperative. They moved to Storm Lake in 1950 when he was transferred. In addition to keeping a warm and comfortable home and raising her family, Maye worked in Storm Lake at Ressler Drug and at the Womanâ€™s Shop, both for five and a half years. She also was employed as manager of the S&H Green Stamps store for 13 Â½ years. She retired in 1972. Maye enjoyed traveling in their RV and spending winters in the warmer, southern states. Her hobbies included sewing and crafting, and she had a special affection for angels. Her family was her greatest treasure and she loved to cook for her husband and children, and just spend time with them. When grandchildren came along, they held a special place in her heart. Mayeâ€™s kind and caring ways will be deeply missed by all those who knew and loved her. Left to cherish her memory are her son, Larry (Marcia) Siefkes of Apple Valley, California; her daughter, Susan (Donavon) Johnson of Laurens, Iowa; her daughter, Sandy (Butch) Ivers of Storm Lake; grandchildren: Michael (Sheri) Siefkes, Shari (Paul Garcia) Cichella, Lori (Durwin) Tomperi, Robin (Terry) Downer, Heide (Rod Watkins) Teague, Lonnie (Beth) Samuelson, Jody (Timothy) Haupert, Mendy (Chad) Collum; 19 great-grandchildren; one brother-in-law, Glenn (Lucile) Siefkes; one sister-in-law, Evelene (Claude) Abrams; extended family and many friends. Maye was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Virgil; two sisters and one brother.

Maye A. Siefkes

August 8, 1923 - March 16, 2009