Fred Sieders
Fred Sieders Obituary
Fred Sieders, 90, of Elizabeth, Colorado, passed away on October 22, 2022.
Fred was born on February 16, 1932 in Detroit, Michigan. He and his twin brother Ted, were the 10th and 11th children of Frederick and Emilia Sieders. His house was very crowded growing up so he used to spend a lot of time wandering the neighborhood watching people. He said he was a self-taught jack of all trades who learned most of his skills by watching how things worked.
He began working for Ford Motor Company at age 18. He joined the army during the Korean War and volunteered repeatedly for combat but instead was stationed in Washington state as a medical supply clerk. He later transferred to Fitzsimmons Army Medical Hospital in Denver where he met his future wife Ellen at a square dance hosted by the YMCA. They were married on January 29, 1955 in Ellen’s hometown of Haigler, Nebraska. They shared 66 loving years of marriage together, until her passing last year.
Fred and Ellen raised 3 children: Steven, Thomas, and Patricia. Fred was a loving father who taught his children by example. He taught them that book smart is different than life smart and it’s important to be both, to do the right thing even if no one is watching, and to always finish what you start. He taught them integrity, service, and to never say “can’t”.
Fred and Ellen lived in Michigan for almost 40 years. Most of those years were on a farm in Almont where relatives, friends and neighbors remember Fred for his kindness, sense of humor, and willingness to always lend a helping hand. Fred hosted many picnics and family reunions on the farm where so many fond memories were made including horseback riding, swimming in the pond, hayrides, bonfires, volleyball games, cowpie tossing, snipe hunting, poker playing and snowmobiling. Fred made everyone feel welcome.
Fred worked at Ford Motor Company as a Tool and Die Machinist for 35 years until retiring in 1985.
Fred and Ellen moved back to Colorado, the place where they met, in 1994. He loved the wide-open view of the front range and spent many hours in his dining room looking at the mountains.
Fred was an important part in the lives of his four grandchildren, who were fortunate to spend countless, enjoyable hours with him nurtured by his unconditional love and acceptance. He always spoke of them with such pride.
Fred enjoyed woodworking and rebuilt much of the Michigan house himself. He often could be found in his workshop “puttering around”. He has helped many people with their remodeling and other projects. He was a 4H leader for many years when his sons were young and later tried his hand at raising steers. He always had various farm animals but took special pride in his birds – finches, chickens, ducks, turkeys, doves, exotic pheasants, and peacocks. He brought his love of birds with him to Colorado and volunteered for many years at Gabriel Foundation, a bird sanctuary. Fred enjoyed square dancing, bluegrass festivals, and traveling. Fred and Ellen took their family camping around the country, instilling in them the love of nature and history. In his later years, Fred traveled to Hawaii, Peru, and Europe. You rarely saw Fred wearing anything other than blue jeans, in the summer with a t-shirt and in the winter with a flannel shirt. This past year he was known for his colorful suspenders. Fred enjoyed going to auctions and would often brag about the “commodities” that he bought for a buck. Fred loved having company and playing cards. A visit to Fred’s wasn’t complete without a game or two of cards. Even when he spent these last two months in an assisted living facility as his heart failed, anyone who visited found themselves playing a round of cards.
Fred touched many lives and was loved by everyone he met. Whether you spent time on the farm in Michigan, at his home in Colorado, benefitted from his handyman skills, inherited one of his treasured commodities, or laughed with him during a game of cards, you know that the world has lost an amazing man.
Fred is survived by son Steven Sieders and his wife Lisa; daughter Patricia and her husband Jeff; four grandchildren, Thomas Brink, Ryan Brink, Elizabeth Brink, and Jenna Brink; sisters Viola Poteete, Helen Bushuiakovish, and Connie Hite; and many, many nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held at Parker Funeral Home on Friday, October 28, at noon. A Military Honor Service will follow at the Elizabeth Cemetery in Elizabeth, Colorado at 2:00.
Donations in Fred’s honor may be made to Peace In Christ, PO Box 2098, Elizabeth, CO 80107 or The Gabriel Foundation, 39520 Co Rd 13, Elizabeth, CO 80107
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