Timothy Lee Siefkes, loving husband, dad, and “Papa,” died on February 13, 2022. Tim, son of Kenneth Lee and Joyce (Metz) Siefkes, was born on November 19, 1955, in Junction City, Kansas. He lived an adventurous childhood with his brother and sisters and loved spending time with his extended family in Hudson, where his parents were raised. Tim was a proud Eagle Scout, and some of his favorite times growing up were with his Boy Scout troop, led by his dad, exploring remote areas of Canada and the mountains of Montana and Colorado. Colorado always held a particularly special place in Tim’s heart, where he hiked several 14ers, and vacationed most summers throughout his life with family and friends.
Tim’s dad also influenced his love of science, from geology to astronomy. Often joking that he was like Cliff Clayburn from “Cheers,” Tim proclaimed to have a “vast knowledge of useless information,” and was always reading and learning. When Tim was in 8th grade, he moved with his family a few houses down the street from Andrea Bowen, and told himself he would marry her someday! They were friends at Buhler High School, where Tim was the kicker on the football team, and Andrea cheered the team on as president of the Pep Club. Tim’s love of photography flourished as he filmed the football teams at HCC and later at Ft. Hays State University, where he graduated with a degree in Art and Photography. Despite attending different colleges, Tim and Andrea reconnected and began dating their senior year, and were married in the summer of 1980!
Tim spent most of his career at General Laboratories, where he used his drafting skills and certifications as a Fire & Explosion Investigator and Private Investigator, in a forensic engineering capacity. In 2008, Tim joined his father-in-law and brother-in-law’s company, Premiere Oil & Exploration Inc., as Oil Production Manager. Tim also owned and operated Sunflower Video Productions for 25 years, videotaping over 600 weddings and many events around the community.
Tim was an involved parent, never missing an athletic event, music performance, or dance recital. Tim’s enthusiasm for attending his daughters’ tennis meets waned a bit when he was told that spectators have to be quiet during the matches. He was proud to be President of the Buhler High Booster Club during Courtney and Amy’s high school years. When his daughters took off to K-State for college, Tim became an avid football fan and season ticket holder. He loved fixing food for the tailgates, especially his famous smoked brisket, chili, and grilled hamburgers.
Tim cherished his friends, both from childhood and those he made as an adult. In his younger days Tim enjoyed playing softball, where he was known to hit homeruns over the Fun Valley fence. Later in life he took up golfing, smoking cigars by the campfire, talking politics, and eating barbeque with his friends, who were always up to some kind of Seinfeld-influenced shenanigans. Tim appreciated the friendships he made at church, including the Life Group he and Andrea were a part of.
Tim is survived by: his loving wife, Andrea; daughter, Courtney Siefkes, Austin, TX, daughter, Amy Messer (Travis), Gardner; grandchildren, Hadley and Bennett Messer, Gardner; stepmother, Carol Siefkes, Louisburg; siblings, Kelly Siefkes (Diane), Hutchinson, Tammy Metzler (Mike), Goddard, and Julie Siefkes, Wichita; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Tim was preceded in death by: his parents, Ken and Joyce Siefkes, sister, Kerry Stevens; and parents-in-law, Ralph and Shirley Bowen.
A Celebration of Life service will be held 11 a.m. Friday, February 25, 2022, at First Church of the Nazarene, 4290 N. Monroe, Hutchinson. For those wishing to view online, the service will be livestreamed on the church’s website: hutchfirstnaz.org.
Friends may sign his memorial book from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday thru Thursday, with the family present to receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Thursday at Elliott Mortuary.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the church or Kansas Honor Flight, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.