John Wesley Siemens

John W. Siemens, 87, passed away August 13, 2020. Born April 8, 1933, to Jacob H. Siemens and Elizabeth (Wiens) Siemens in Hillsboro, Kansas. He spent his early years growing up in Buhler, Kansas. He was preceded in death by his parents, one son Jeffrey (stillborn) and two older twin sisters, Doris Kaufman and Deloris Ham. He is survived by his wife, Iris (Schmidt) whom he married in 1955 and sister Joann (LeRoy) Esau. Surviving children are J. Kent (Diane) Siemens; Kay (Dan) Ward and Greta Siemens. Grandchildren; Lindsey (Blake) Iles; Cassie (Jarreau) Hawkins, Holden and Jordan Hostetler, plus four great grandchildren, Camden and Braden Iles; Emery and Aven Hawkins.

Sports played an important part in John’s life. At Buhler High School he participated in tennis and won a state championship in basketball in 1948. This team was inducted into the Buhler High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2012. He went on to play collegiate baseball and basketball at Bethel College and graduated with a BA in Economics.

After graduating from Bethel College, he completed 1-W service in Denver for 2 years. His professional career in sales of farm equipment at Hesston Corporation and Great Plains Industries, allowed him to travel to all 50 states and many foreign countries.

While living in Buhler, he was a volunteer firefighter helping to form a new fire district and their first EMS service. He also was a church treasurer and trustee for many years. As a member of Lorraine Avenue Mennonite Church in Derby he served on the Mennonite Housing board of directors.

Leisure activities included golf and woodworking. He started golfing late in life and took to it naturally. He was especially proud of having a hole in one four times with trophies commemorating his accomplishments. John could fix and make anything. Often crafting wood projects from his own designs taken from pictures. The projects he created were given to his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, teachers and friends. Who knows how many pieces of furniture have been refinished and rebuilt by his talented hands.

Many fond memories were made at Jake’s Lake/Green Acres. John enjoyed maintaining his father’s lake and family activities of camping out, staying over night in the cabin, fishing and barbecuing. Memorial Day and July 4th weekends were special with cousins, aunts and uncles. Who can forget the epic bottle rocket fights across the lake (with parental approval)!

John was a social man. He never met a stranger. If you saw him in the store he would talk your ear off. If he was sitting on his front porch and a neighbor or friend walked by he would wave and start a conversation. John was positive, encouraging and always seeing the brighter side of life. These attributes served him well in all aspects of life.

At the end, John’s fighting spirit came through as he battled against cancer and congestive heart failure. John is now resting peacefully as he enjoys thunderstorms from above. You are loved and will be missed!

A graveside service will be held at the Buhler KS Cemetery on August 21st at 10:00 a.m. corner of Buhler Road and E. 82nd Ave. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Lorraine Ave. Mennonite Church, 655 S. Lorraine St., Wichita, KS 67211.