Ruth Ann (Thesing) Siefert

Ruth Ann Siefert, 69, of Rochester died peacefully Saturday, May 27, 2023, at her home surrounded by her family, after a lengthy and courageous battle with ovarian cancer.

Ruth was born April 21, 1954 in La Crosse, WI, to Robert W. Thesing and Helen A. {Gittens} Thesing.  She was fifth of nine children, the middle child.  Ruth attended Crucifixion Catholic School, and then La Crescent High School, graduating in 1972.  While attending Rochester Community College, she was hired there, and spent 43 years working.  She was the Business Office Supervisor, retiring in 2017.  In 2012, Ruth and the entire Business Office staff were recognized by the State of MN for Excellence in Financial Management.  Ruth was instrumental in being a role model to many, and stepped up to accept additional responsibilities when RCTC was without a CFO, receiving the MNSCU Outstanding Service Award in 2016.   Ruth truly exemplified the spirit of RCTC, from her trademark yellow clothing to her volunteering at College events.  This ranged from registering participants as they check-in at fundraising programs to selling sweatshirts at football games.  No matter what needed to be done, Ruth raised her hand and volunteered her time when it was in the best interest of the College and students.  She was also selected as a member for induction, in the MCC Region I Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2019 for her volunteer work in wrestling.

On June 23, 1993 she married Charles H. “Chuck” Siefert.  Ruth and Chuck enjoyed traveling, and had enjoyed many cruises and trips.  She made lunches for the RCTC Football team when they embarked on their statewide bus trips for the away games while Chuck was coaching.  She also ran the Merchandise stand for the NJCAA National Wrestling Championships for 12 years, when they were hosted in Rochester.  Ruth centered her life around her family, especially enjoying her 5 grandchildren.  She loved them being around, playing with them, watching them grow, and watching their many school and athletic activities.  She volunteered at St. Pius X Elementary school in the lunchroom, after her retirement, and loved interreacting with the students.  Most everyone knew her favorite color was yellow!  Ruth also was an avid seamstress, often hemming and mending dresses and pants for those that asked.  She also enjoyed baking cookies…her Christmas cookie trays were legendary!  She was devoted to the power of prayer.  Ruth so often said... "if I ever brought a smile to someone's face, I am happy and Blessed.  Please keep sharing smiles."

Ruth is survived by her husband, sons Nathan {Pamela} Smith, Adam {Amanda} Smith, grandchildren Cole, Connor, Cade, Kendall, and Keegan Smith, brothers Donald {Judy}, David {Yoriko}, Michael {Bonnie}, Joseph {Heidi} Thesing, all of La Crescent, MN, sisters Rebecca Bigelow {Kalamazoo, MI}, Kathrine {Pat} Gavin, {Lansing, IA}, Susan {Thomas} Mach, Henderson, NV, mother-law Julia Siefert, Lake City, MN, sister-in-law Linda Thesing, La Crescent, Diane Bergman, Lake City, MN, brother-in-law David Siefert, Lake City, MN, Aunts Donna Ready, Carol Gittens La Crescent, MN, and numerous nieces , nephews, and cousins.

She is preceded in death by her parents, brother Thomas Thesing, brother-in-law Douglas Bigelow, brother and sister-in-law Dennis and Karen Saathoff, father-in-law Harold Siefert, aunts and uncles, and nephew Brian Thesing.

Celebration of Life for Ruth will be 11 a.m. on Monday, June 5, 2023, at St Pius X Catholic Church, in Rochester with Father Russell Scepaniak officiating.  Visitation will be 1 ½ hours before the service.  Burial will be at Crucifixion Cemetery in La Crescent, MN.

The family would like to thank Mayo Clinic’s dedicated Doctors and Oncology Care Team for their tireless efforts to protect her life.  Also, Mayo Clinic Hospice for their extraordinary loving care.  A special thank you to Judy Thesing for her weekly cards and letters over Ruth’s last years.  The Family requests memorials go to St Pius X Catholic School.

Riley Funeral Home of Chatfield, is assisting the Siefert family with arrangements.  Online condolences are welcome at rileyfuneralhomes.com

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