Dorothy Mae Siegmeth

Mom was born in Seattle WA on September 5, 1924, to Albert & Eleanor Patterson (Ferguson). Her early childhood was in the University District of Seattle. Mom was predeceased by her father, a sister, Marjorie, and an infant brother, Warren. In later years, mom was also predeceased by her mom, Eleanor Hunt, and our dad, Adam Siegmeth. Despite loss and some hardship in her youth, mom always remembered a happy childhood surrounded by extended family, especially cousins, and she often recounted fond memories.

In 1936 at age 12, mom moved with her mother and stepdad to Yakima, where she attended Washington MS. During the next couple of years, mom and Grams moved back & forth between Yakima and Seattle many times to take special care of mom’s sister and maternal grandmother. In 1939, during mom’s 7th grade, she and Grams returned to Yakima where mom attended Franklin MS and graduated in 1942 from Yakima High (now Davis HS). Being somewhat shy, it was a tough age and time for mom, but she quickly made up for it often sharing fun stories about her later school years and friends.

Immediately following graduation mom worked in the Circulation Dept. at Yakima Herald Republic. She always said she left that job to goof off with friends! Later, mom held several civil service positions, two of which were at the Agricultural Adjustment Administration Office (AAA), and in the Clerk’s Office at the Yakima County Courthouse.

In August of 1946, following dad’s return from Germany during WWII, mom and dad married at First Presbyterian Church in Yakima (now Grace of Christ) where she was later baptized. Five children followed over the next 16 years, and we spent most of our childhood on 26th Avenue.

Mom was an excellent cook. She canned fruits and vegetables every year. Extended family and friends always came to our house for dinner at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Two of mom’s annual specialties were divinity and popcorn balls that were never sticky! Mom was also an amazing seamstress. From mending blue jeans to making some of her own fancy holiday dresses, mom’s two proudest creations were wedding dresses for each of her daughters.

Mom and dad always went to the Eagles with friends on New Year’s Eve and mom made sure we had horns and other noise makers to ring in the new year at midnight with our neighbors on the front porch. In the morning, we would wake up to hats and helium balloons that were brought home the night before.

Mom was a leader, but she never wanted to be THE leader. She often preferred to serve behind the scenes. Throughout our childhood she was involved in Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, Camp Fire, school band and, in later years, she helped serve cookies at the church on Sundays and helped with VBS in the summer. As a non-swimmer, mom was adamant about getting all of us to swim lessons every summer. She also spent many hours “nudging” the two girls to practice their piano lessons and reviewing multiplication and fractions with all of us on the blackboard in the basement.

In 1970 with the last of us kids in school, mom began volunteering in a classroom at Robertson Elementary for deaf and hearing impaired children. That led to her becoming a valued parapro for three years in the Preschool Deaf Program at Hoover Elementary. Later, mom was a popular reading and math tutor at Castlevale and Broadway Elementaries, as well as at Washington MS. She retired in 1986 and she was quite moved when years later several former teachers and administrators showed up at her 90th birthday party. During mom’s retirement she was a substitute receptionist at ESD 105. She enjoyed that opportunity and was delighted that some ESD staff continued to keep in touch with her.

In retirement, mom and dad enjoyed some well earned freedom. They were part of a close-knit group of friends known as the Crickets Travel Club. During several of those years mom and dad were snowbirds in Arizona. They also traveled to the New England states in the northeast, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Canada, Hawaii, Mexico, as well as up and down the Pacific Coast.

When dad passed, mom sold their home and bought her condo on Pear Tree Court. She enjoyed her neighborhood for 15 years until she moved to her apartment at Living Care. At Living Care mom was delighted to be right down the hall from old and new friends. She especially looked forward to pinochle days, fellowship in the dining hall, and visits from family.

In 2006 mom met Chuck DeJournette at the Harmon Center and they became best friends until Chuck passed in 2011. Mom and Chuck spent a wonderful five years together that included dining out, dancing, and theatre programs in Yakima, along with some travel excursions. Their companionship was a delight to both of their families.

In the Fall of 2021, mom moved to Spokane to be cared for by her daughter and son-in-law. There she enjoyed watching wildlife beyond the back yard, “staying young” with her youngest great grandchild, making new friends, and attending church services and socials.

Family. It was always family first for mom, and we are grateful. Favorite things we will remember are the importance of mom’s morning cup of coffee, peanut butter anything, poached eggs on toast, lemon meringue pie, pineapple milkshakes and, of course, puzzles and pinochle.

Mom is survived by five children: Rick Siegmeth (Donna) and their daughter Kristi Auld (Tim) and son Jeff Siegmeth (Sydney); Rex Siegmeth and his daughter, Jennifer Siegmeth (Jamie Zarate); Ryan Siegmeth (Pat); Sherry Reisbig (John) and their daughter, Rachel Kelly; Connie Warner and her son, Jason Warner, and six great grandchildren: Ashley and Brady Auld; Grant, Olivia, and Blake Siegmeth; Hayden Kelly; two step grandchildren, Mitzi Frieling (Wayne) and their daughter, Kylie, and son, Colton; Jeff Reisbig (Catherine) and their daughters, Olivia and Sophia; extended family who share memories of good times at the Siegmeths’ on 26th Avenue.

Visitation will be held from 12:00 until 4:00pm Saturday, September 21st at Keith & Keith Funeral Home.

A Funeral service will be on Monday, September 23rd, at 11am. It will be at the Rainier Memorial Center, located at 2807 Terrace Heights Drive. Keith & Keith is handling arrangements.

Immediately following the service and brief burial ceremony, the family hopes you will join us for a light lunch at the same location to celebrate mom. To share your own memories or expressions of sympathy, please go to www.KeithandKeith.com.