Obituary - Steven Raymond Siefert

On the evening of Friday, Feb. 19, 2016, following a valiant seven-year battle, the world lost a loving and caring man just days before his 39th birthday. Steven Raymond Siefert of Hardwick, Massachusetts, passed from this world surrounded by his loving family.

Steve was born to Charles R. "Chuck" Siefert and Janet Vannatta Siefert in Helena, Montana, on Feb. 24, 1977. He was an independent soul from an early age. He was an adventurous risk-taker. He gained a love of downhill skiing at the age of 8. He enjoyed skateboarding, and was involved in a campaign to have the City of Helena add a skate park.

Steve moved to Havre, Montana, after graduating from Helena High School in 1995. While he attended Montana State University-Northern he met Lori Keeley. He earned a bachelor's degree in automotive technology, and then Steve and Lori moved to metro-Detroit where he worked at the Ford Technical Service Hotline.

On Nov. 23, 2000, Steve and Lori were married in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. They then moved to Massachusetts to start their new life together. They were blessed with their first child, a daughter, Melanie Ray, on July 19, 2002. Their family was completed with the birth of their son, Joshua Evan, on Jan. 16, 2007.

Steve was employed at the Ford Boston Regional Office as a field service engineer before becoming the technical operations coordinator. He returned to field service until becoming a zone manager. At the time of his death, Steve was the business development specialist for the Boston Region.

Steve was an avid skier and automotive enthusiast. He truly enjoyed spending time at their condo in Smuggler's Notch, VT. He found great pleasure in hiking, disc golfing, and camping. He always appreciated a bargain, and was well-known for seldom paying full price for anything. Above all else, he loved being a father.

People were immediately drawn to Steven and his zest for life. His smile and sense of humor were contagious. Family, friends and neighbors remember him fondly for his compassion, generous heart, and willingness to help in any way he could. He danced like no one was watching and never missed an opportunity to karaoke. He was known for his elaborate Halloween costumes and enjoyed making a production of any holiday. He stayed connected to his many friends and cousins across great distances.

Steve was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Raymond Siefert, his maternal grandparents, Leonard and Ella Vannatta, his cousins Jessica Vannatta, Nick Vannatta, and Nathan Vannatta, and his nephew Mark Keeley.

He is survived by his wife and children of Hardwick, Massachusetts, his parents, Chuck (Martha Dutch) Siefert of Helena, Montana, and Janet Vannatta of Lewistown, Montana, his paternal grandmother, Gladys Siefert of Walnut Creek, California, his nephews James Malley, Jacob Springer, Zach Malley, and Austin Murray of Kalispell, Montana, and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, Feb. 26, 2016, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Charbonneau Funeral Home in Ware, Massachustetts. A memorial luncheon will follow starting at 1:30 p.m. at Hardwick Winery in Hardwick, Massachusetts. A funeral mass will take place on Friday, March 4, 2016, at 2 p.m. at St Mary's Catholic Community, 1700 Missoula Avenue, Helena, Montana, with a reception following at Bert & Ernie's Grill, 361 N Last Chance Gulch, Helena, Montana.

Memorial donations on Steven's behalf can be made to the American Brain Tumor Association.