Maurine (Mantle) SIEFKEN BENDER

MANTLE, SIEFKEN, BENDER, RICHEY, RICE, EVANS, BLAKE, CASEY, HICKMAN

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 7/10/2009 at 08:08:04

Maurine Siefken went with Jesus in the early evening hours on Friday July 3rd at Canyon Lakes Restorative and Rehabilitation Center in Kennewick, WA. Maurine was born April 9, 1927 to Edgar and Marjorie Mantle in Rowan, IA. Maurine graduated from Swaledale High School in 1945 and married her high school sweetheart, Herb Siefken in 1946. Together she and Herb spent nearly 25 years farming 3 family farms west of Rockwell. They ran a milking operation, raised livestock and raised 4 children. Maurine raised and dressed up to 500 Capon chickens every year to help pay for their family trips to Washington state. There she would visit her mother, brother, and 3 sisters. Maurine and Herb had several close friends in their farming community. In 1966 she received a bookkeeping certificate and worked at the Rockwell Farmers CO-OP, Sheffield car dealership and for Art Rodriguez Realty in Mason City, IA. While working for Art she received her real estate license and sold several properties in the Mason City area. She also sold life insurance for many years, and she earned several awards and trips to Spain, England and Africa.

In 1981 she followed her son Donald and relocated in Kennewick, WA. It was here she met Rolland Bender and together they spent nearly 20 happy years together traveling in their motor-home. She enjoyed their fishing trips, panning for gold and their yearly trips to Yuma, AZ with their large circle of friends. She always had a suitcase packed and was ready to go at a moment's notice!

Maurine leaves behind 3 children, Donald (Cindy) Siefken of Kennewick, WA, Kathy Richey of Osage, IA, and Jay (Kathleen) Siefken of Rockwell, IA, 13 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren, 1 sister Arnette Rice of Kennewick, WA, and several loving nieces and nephews. Maurine is preceded in death by her parents, her daughter Judy Evans, her brother Jerry Mantle, her sisters Garnette Blake and Delores Casey, first husband Herb Siefken, second husband Rolland Bender and her beloved great-granddaughter, Sophia Hickman.

The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to the staff at Canyon Lakes Restorative and Rehabilitation Center for the loving care they gave to Maurine in her final days. The family also wishes to thank Callaway Gardens Alzheimer Care Facility where she resided for the past year. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, July 8th at Mueller's Tri-Cities Funeral Home at 1401 S. Union, with a viewing beginning at 10 a.m. There will be a second memorial service followed by burial in Rockwell, IA.

Tri-City Herald, Kennewick, WA
July 7, 2009