By HDN staff
MARY SIEFKE
Mary Isabel (Cummings) Siefke, 75, died Friday, Dec. 3, 1999, at a Lothair residence from complications of breast cancer.
Memorial services will be held 2 p.m. Thursday at the Alliance Church in Chester.
Siefke was born June 5, 1924, at Atchinson, Kan., to Ellsworth Cummings and Mauve Belle Holmes. She came with her family to Troy where she grew up and received her formal education.
On June 17, 1942, she married Floyd L. Siefke at Libby. The couple resided in Libby where she worked as a homemaker.
Following her husband's retirement in 1984, the couple moved to Lothair to be near their daughter. They resided there until 1991, when they purchased a recreational vehicle and began traveling. He died in 1997.
She moved into the Sweetgrass Lodge in Chester and was diagnosed with breast cancer five years ago.
Siefke's hobbies included quilting, embroidery, making woven lawn chairs and collecting things including stamps. She enjoyed fishing, camping, reading novels and historicals, country western music, especially Box-Car Willie and baking. She attended the Alliance Church in Chester.
She was preceded in death by her husband, four children, Marlene, Fred, Ronald and Leonard, a daughter-in-law, Marliss, and a young sister.
Survivors include daughters, Darlene Bress of Gates, Ore., Mary Dickinson of Florence, Ore., and Linda Backen of Lothair; sisters, Irma Siefke of Great Falls and Lois Shea of Libby; a brother, Edward "Bud" Cummings of Calif.; 21 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorials are suggested to Benefis Health Care Foundation, c/o the Gift of Life Housing or the Regional Cancer Center, PO Box 7008, Great Falls, MT 59406, or to the American Cancer Society.
Rockman Funeral Chapel of Chester is in charge of arrangements.
