"Gerry was also a close cousin to me, our fathers were brothers and farmed together when we were young. We graduated the same year and shared February birthdays! Gerry was a loyal relative who made many annual visits to his Minnesota cousins. We will miss his efforts as the family continues to shrink with time. We wish Vicki and the family Gods Blessings as they mourn his death, he was so proud of all of you! Lois Meyer"
In loving memory of
Gerald Lee Sietsema
February 18, 1942 - December 14, 2022
Gerald Lee Sietsema born February 18, 1942 in Granite Falls Minnesota to Harm and Laura Breitkreutz Sietsema. He passed surrounded by his family December 14, 2022 in Whittier California. Gerald attended one room rural school thru sixth grade. He then attended Olivia schools where he graduated from Olivia High School as Valedictorian in 1959. He then attended University of Minnesota graduating with Honors with a Master's degree in Physics in 1964. Following graduation he headed for California and began teaching physics at Sunny Hills High School for 1 year before beginning his career at Hughes Aircraft Company. He took early retirement at age 55 in 1997. Gerald had 2 sons from his first marriage, Jay Sietsema and Paul Sietsema. Following his divorce he married Vicki Sietsema in 1976 and they had 2 children, Gregg Sietsema and Lynne Sietsema John. He is survived by his wife, 4 children and 6 grandchildren, Lukas Sietsema, Erik Sietsema, Micah John, Liam John Claire Sietsema and Emily Sietsema.
Tributes
"Very proud that Gerry is my cousin. Now I still have so many good memories of when he chose to teach in Fullerton, CA one year before going to work at Hughes Aircraft Company. My family could see Gerry often along with his good friend Bill Kurschat. They would come to Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner at our house in CA. One year Gerry ( a car guy) and I drove his brand new 1964 Mustang convertible to Minnesota and back to CA. Gerry and I often had lunch together in his big office where we both worked many years at Hughes Aircraft Company."