He was born November 16, 1932 in Kansas City, MO and spent most of his life in the Kansas City area.
The son of Herschel and Nora Sieben, he graduated from DeLaSalle High School in 1950. After graduation he served in the U.S. Air Force as a flight mechanic for four years.
He joined the family business H. J. Sieben Construction Company as an operating engineer in the late 1950s and spent his career there, eventually becoming vice president. He joined the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 101 in 1951 and was a proud member all of his life.
He met the love of his life, Mary Agnes Rottinghaus, at a social at Redemptorist Church. They married in 1959 and celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in April 2019. The couple raised four children together, in the Overland Park and Prairie Village areas.
James and Mary were founding members of Curè of Ars Catholic Church, Leawood. They remained active in the church for 50 years serving as ushers and eucharistic ministers.
James’ faith and family were the most important things to him. He was an active outdoorsman and was passionate about fishing, hunting, boating and camping. He loved the open road and exploring national parks. These are experiences he shared and passed along to his children and grandchildren.
He loved landscaping, backyard birding and spent his free time caring for his yard and flower garden.
He was preceded in death by: his parents, Herschel and Nora Sieben; three brothers John William Sieben, Joseph Sieben and Thomas Sieben; his daughter-in-law, Jennifer Lane Sieben; and grandson Elijah Berndt. He is survived by his wife, Mary Sieben of Prairie Village; his children Michele Berndt (Michael), of Baldwin City, KS; Lynda Heinen (Brien), of Gardner, KS; Brian Sieben (Denise), of Bucyrus, KS; and Darren Sieben (Melissa) of Kansas City, KS; 11 grandchildren: DayShawn, Robert, Rachael and Amelia Berndt; Lauren Villalobos (Estevan), and Nathan Heinen; Haley, Trevor and Maggie Sieben; and Emily Sieben.
James was a loving son, husband, father, and grandfather. He was a humble role model and set a wonderful example of the importance of faith, marriage and family. He will be deeply missed.
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Catholic Charities9720 W. 87th St., Overland Park, KS 66212
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