Obituary of Lloyd Siemens

SIEMENS – Lloyd was born and raised in Flowing Well near Hodgeville and took his schooling along with his 4 siblings in Herbert. After completing his grade 12 he attended Briercrest for 2 years. He married Marion Regier on August 13th, 1960 and together they had 3 Children and 7 Grand Children. He instilled a good work ethic and inspired good character and integrity in his children believing that “Character is what you get when you don’t get what you want”. Farming life shaped his early years and he carried that work ethic throughout his life. Lloyd did nothing without enthusiasm. Farm life was forever in his blood and he took many opportunities to go back to it – helping out Verlan and Shirley – even taming Wild Bill the swather with attitude. Harvest was always his favorite time of year. He left the farm to go trucking – again going hard until a back injury forced him to choose another profession. Every now and then a story slips out about finding back roads to avoid weigh scales, waking up behind the wheel on the wrong side of the road and finding inventive ways to keep the truck moving. In 1963 Lloyd entered the Psychiatric Nursing Program in North Battleford and found a calling he could throw all of his energy into. He was passionate about restoring hope to people who were hopeless and helping them return to their homes after hospitalization. He carried a pager that frequently went off or the phone would ring and he would have to attend a patient in the hospital or in city cells. Regardless of the circumstance he aimed for the best outcome for the patient. His work came home with him, studying for management courses, people dropping in for council on various matters and he took his family to work. All of his kids were exposed to nursing in a psychiatric setting from the time they were quite young and worked in small capacities in school years. Lloyd was a teacher and mentor to young nurses just coming out of school and also encouraged many people to choose nursing as a profession among those, his children. He was instrumental in the establishment of community supports for mental health and participated in the founding of McAracher House. Music was another passion. He played baritone and trombone in various bands and loved his Authoharp. He enjoyed singing in quartets, barbershop, and in the last few years spent much time in the men’s choir. Southern gospel music was his favorite and He and Marion made several trips to Red Deer for the Gospel Music Jamboree. He became an EMT, working with his brother Al for the Swift Current Ambulance Service and volunteered for St. John’s ambulance – enjoying the access to Bronco games. Lloyd was instrumental in starting up the CNIB support group when his vision became compromised and also headed up several support and self-help groups through the community and church. In his retirement, he loved to follow the stock market and world events, CNN was his favorite channel and he would scrap with his grand kids for the TV remote. Throughout his adult life he enjoyed camping, starting with a leaky old army surplus tent. Camping became more domesticated with a 20 year old motor home that was his pride and joy. Lloyd struggled with diabetes from the time he was 38 and due to poor vision and a heart condition he was forced to retire early. He continued to council people in his retirement. 4 years ago he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He had surgery and was graced with 4 more years. In July of 2007 his cancer returned and he lost the battle. Lloyd is pre-deceased by his mother and father Henry and Helena Siemens and his infant grandson Andrew Gerald Brown. Surviving him is his wife Marion, his 3 children, 7 grandchildren, 4 brothers and sisters, and numerous cousins. A funeral service was held on Wednesday, January 9, 2008 at 2:00 pm. at the Church of the Open Bible with Pastor Rob Cochrane officiating. The ushers were: Ralph Hershmiller, Robert Klassen and Ken Strauch. Special music was performed by The King Servants. The pianist was Pearl Jonat and the Song Leader was John Regier. The honorary pallbearers were all his grandchildren. The active pallbearers were: Keith Siemens, Gerry Brown, Duane Nelson, Lorne Orthner, Al Regier and Rob Barber. The interment took place at Hillcrest Cemetery, Swift Current, SK. Memorial donations may be made to the C.N.I.B. in memory of Lloyd. For further information or to sign the family book of condolence, visit our website at parksidefuneralhome.com Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Parkside Memorial Funeral Home.