In loving memory of Johnny Junior “John” Siewert
Born August 8th, 1952
Died May 7th, 2025
72 years young
John Siewert, a loving father, grandfather, son, brother, husband, friend, and veteran passed away on Wednesday, May 7th, 2025 in his home of natural causes.
John was born August 8th, 1952 to Christ Henry and Bessie Irene Houlthe Siewert in Helena, MT. He attended grade school in a one room schoolhouse with no running water or electricity in Blossburg, MT where his dad worked for the railroad. He and his brothers Keith and Roger had the run of the mountains while growing up and flourished in it. He moved to Helena and graduated from Helena High School in 1971. He joined the Air force and was stationed in Germany. He drove a truck and was able to see a lot of the area and would often tell stories about his time there.
Shortly after getting home from the Air Force he met Rose C Casey playing pool at a bar. They soon married on June 21st, 1975. John and Rose had three daughters, Janet Rose, Rebecca Cathryn, Irene Gaye.
Early in their life together, John worked with his brother Roger Siewert doing self-employed contracting and fencing work with many versatile talents. He then started working at the VA in civil service. They purchased their home from his parents and raised their family in Helena, MT. Then in 1994 they built a home out on Canyon Ferry Rd. While living near Canyon Ferry Lake he loved spending time with his family on his many boats and going fishing. John and Rose spent lots of time in the mountains while camping and riding four wheelers with family. John and Rose instilled this love of nature and the outdoors in their daughters and then grandchildren. Big vacations were spent in Yellowstone Park, Glacier Park and trips to Silverwood, and Lagoon.
When he retired from the VA, John and Rose moved to multiple towns in Montana. He thoroughly enjoyed learning the new areas and exploring them. Starting in Lima where he worked for the school system. This is where they became grandparents to their first grandson Ashton Shipley. Then to Deer Lodge, where he worked for the Montana State Prison. But Rose’s health brought them back to Helena, in a house down the block from their original house on Chestnut St. that they had purchased in the beginning of their marriage. This is when they were blessed with twin grandsons Casey and Foster Warner. They lived there until Rose’s passing June 4th, 2010.
He then spent 10 years with Diane Mcpheters. While living in Ennis, MT, they spent their time traveling. They took many cruises and road trips to see the US. They bought a home in San Felipe, Mexico and were completely happy on the beach of the Sea of Cortez. Again exploring on the four wheeler or side by side the desert and beaches alike. This was an incredible time in his life. But he was then diagnosed with MDS and went through a stem cell transplant. He and Diane parted ways and he moved back to Helena, MT.
His youngest daughter Irene and her husband Josh Helmerick built an apartment for him in their home where he was blessed with watching his two granddaughters Mirabel and Madelyn Helmerick play in the backyard. He lived here for the remainder of his life with his dog Darcy, and then Sassy. We often joked with him that he preferred his dogs Darcy and Sassy to his family, but we did really know how much he loved us all. He will be greatly missed.
He is preceded in death by his parents Christ and Bessie Siewert, brothers Grant Siewert, Don Siewert, Cincoona Foster, Roger Siewert, Keith Siewert, and wife Rose Siewert.
He is survived by his daughters Janet R Shipley, Rebecca C Warner, Irene S Helmerick. Son in laws Robert J Shipley, Edward Warner, Josh Helmerick. grandchildren Ashton Shipley, Casey Warner, Foster Warner, Mirabel Helmerick and Madelyn Helmerick sisters Fern Lang and Elaine Colvin, countless loving nieces and nephews, sister and brother in laws, and many friends near and far.
John was a man of strength, integrity, and kindness. His thoughtful caring ways were passed to his girls and then to his grandchildren. His laugh will never be forgotten. He will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. John’s heart was fullest when surrounded by his family and dogs.
A service will be held at 3 pm, Saturday May 31st at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral home at 3750 N. Montana Avenue Helena, MT, with a reception to follow the memorial service in the social center of the funeral home. He will then have his remains spread on the wind to join Rose in the Mountains where they so loved to be.
Dan Dallas says
Sorry to hear about John. Such a nice person! Janet, Becca and Irene you are all in my thoughts.
Becky Ames says
I never had the chance to meet John, but I met is girls. That told me everything I needed to know. I am so very sorry for your loss.
Patti Scott says
Janet-Becca-Irene This is a wonderful tribute to a good man. I am very sorry for your loss.
Esther Casey Fantry says
Janet ,Becky and Irene, you dads love for you, his grandkids, his dogs and everybody else’s dogs, his laugh, and love for my cousin Rose made him ever so endearing to me and many others. He has left us with 3 beautiful young ladies to carry on his legacy. Thank you John. You will be missed.
Doran Lee Siewert says
John, though we have never met, we are related. I am sure you lived a great life and have my best wishes for a great afterlife in heaven. Best wishes, Doran Lee Siewert, Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Alex Ostberg says
We got the chance to know John over the past 23 years after Rob and Janet befriended Michelle and I that long ago. I can’t say enough about the privilege it has been to be able to know them all and to get to know many of the rest of the family members as well over the years. We are truly saddened to see John pass and we are sending our love and thoughts and prayers for all of the family.