Grace Josephine Siems

Grace J. Siems, 91, of Mazeppa, quietly slipped away the morning of June 26, 2020. She was at home in Mazeppa with her family until the end. She was born on January 15, 1929, in Mazeppa to William and Leona (Busse) Reinholz. She grew up in Mazeppa and attended Mazeppa Schools. Grace attended Business College in Winona after high school and went on to work as a bookkeeper at the Courthouse in Rochester. On December 26, 1951, she married Kermit M. Siems. Together they raised a family of five, with the first son being born while Kermit was stationed in Germany during the Korean Conflict. In later years, she was the book and record keeper for the Mazeppa Cemetery Association helping countless families trace their family ancestors. She also coordinated and helped with the urn plantings for the perpetual flower care fund each year.
Grace was a smart, resourceful, artistic lady. There were always projects going on at the Siems home. From paper mâché Halloween masks to wood crafted windmills, Grace added a flair to everything she touched. In addition to spending time with her husband and family, she enjoyed raising African Violets, flower gardening, crocheting and knitting, puzzles, crosswords, scrap-booking from magazines, feeding the birds and her kitties, and cooking for her family. She was famous for whipping up a brown paper bag of stove-top-cooked popcorn served with M&M's.
Grace is survived by her children, Jeffrey (Susan) Siems of Maquoketa, IA; Douglas Siems (Kathleen Kritta) of Roseville, MN; Dana Siems of Mazeppa; Jeannine (Kevin) McGurren of Rochester; and Donald Siems of Mazeppa; grandsons, Eric Siems (Dave Tristan) of Rock Island, IL and James (Sarah) Siems of Hastings; great-grandson, Henry Siems; brother-in-law, Quentin (Charlene) Siems of Mazeppa; nephew, Brock Siems of Mazeppa; and niece, Krista Siems of Mazeppa. Grace was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved husband, Kermit.
Grace was cared for at home by her family for many years after a stroke and the devastating effects of Alzheimer's Disease. Thank you to all who helped support that effort, including Dr. Eric Poulin with Mayo Clinic in Zumbrota, Visiting Angels Home Health Care Agency, and towards the end, St. Croix Hospice. Special thanks go out to some very dear caregivers and friends Ally, Nataliya, Caitlin, and Abby, as well as Walter, George, Bob, Kenny, Frog, Gator, Monkey Buddy, Ape, Orange Ape, Cow, Unicorn, and a whole supporting cast of other animal companions. She loved every one of you!
In lieu of flowers, and in memory of Grace, we ask you to give more smiles and to be kind to others. Kindness, generosity, positivity, respectfulness, gentleness, joyfulness, and an ever-present smile were some of her greatest attributes. The world today needs more people like the one who just left it. To view Grace's tribute video, please visit https://youtu.be/YcKIt7fV0Dc.

A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, July 24, 2020, at the Mazeppa Cemetery. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, there will be no visitation prior to the service or gathering following the service. Please practice safe social distancing at the cemetery. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com. Arrangements made by Mahn Family Funeral Home, Larson Chapel.

---

Graveside Service

JUL 24. 2:00 PM (CST)

Mazeppa Cemetery
Mazeppa, MN 55956