Leone Eleanor (Kriech) Sieh
June 19, 1923 — January 23, 2015
Leone Eleanor (Kriech) Sieh, 91, of Aberdeen, South Dakota, passed away peacefully, in the company of family, on Friday, January 23, 2015, at Avera Mother of Joseph Manor Retirement Community, Aberdeen.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, January 30, 2015, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 107 East 7th Avenue, Groton, SD, with Father Mike Kelly, Celebrant. A luncheon will follow the service.
Thereafter, Leone will be buried next to her first husband, Leo Kriech, in Sunset Memorial Gardens, Aberdeen.
A visitation will be hosted by the family at Schriver's Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, from 5:00-7:00 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 29, 2015, with a Liturgical Wake Service being held at 7:00 p.m. Visitation continues one hour prior to Mass at church on Friday.
Leone was born on June 19, 1923, to Otto and Clara Monserud in Ortley, SD, the second eldest of five children. Leone grew up and attended school in Ortley along with her four siblings: the late Lyle Monserud of Waubay, the late Lois Wagner of Webster, Luanne Swanson of Aberdeen, and Carole Monserud of CA.
Leone was united in marriage to Leo Kriech on Nov. 11, 1942 in Bristol, SD. The couple made their home in Aberdeen where they raised a large family and enjoyed life with relatives, friends, and neighbors. They loved playing cards, participated in weekly bowling league, and fished and gardened together. In Aberdeen they owned and operated four gas stations; Leone helped with bookkeeping and accounting. The couple cherished time with family and proudly celebrated the births of their grandchildren together. They were married 45 years until Leo's death in 1988.
On Aug. 1, 1992, Leone married John Sieh in Groton. Together they founded the Granary Cultural Center in Groton, a hub for culture and art of the Northern Plains. They continued to be involved in their family's lives, welcoming grandchildren and great grandchildren, and traveled often to visit family and friends around the country. They were married 22 years, living most recently together at Avera until her death.
Leone was deeply loved by her family and will be remembered for her sweet, gentle personality. She enjoyed spending time outdoors, tending to her garden and pets, such as outdoor cats, and ducks on her pond, and staying up to date with the lives of her offspring. She had a willingness to care for others that extended beyond family, always welcoming people into her kitchen for a home cooked meal. She delighted in crossword puzzles, music, and crocheting. A joy to be around, Leone's light humor and easygoing disposition will be affectionately remembered.
Leone's marriage of 45 years with Leo Kriech bore 6 children: Rita Holmstrom of CO, Richard (Kathy) Kriech of CA, Dennis (Diane) Kriech of SD, the late Robert Kriech of CO, Linda (Doug) Julson of MN, and Kenneth (Louise) Kriech of SD. Of these were born 15 grandchildren, and 22 great-grandchildren. In her second marriage to John Sieh, Leone gained 3 stepchildren: Bill (Patricia) Sieh of WA, David (Diane) Sieh of CO, and Kathy (Dan) Johnson of SD. Of these were born 9 grandchildren.
Leone is preceded in death by her parents, first husband, a sister, brother, and a son.