Jack Siemens

After 86 wonderful years, Jack Siemens peacefully passed away on August 7, with his wife and son at his side. Jack was born on March 9, 1940, in Havre, Montana, to Jacob and Laura Siemens. He grew up on a ranch outside of Savoy. The homestead was near Savoy Creek, where Jack learned to ride horses, do chores, and drive a car at 13 years old.

Jack's grade school education took place in a one-room school at Savoy for 8 years, until 1953. Jack traveled two miles to school, but it was only uphill one way. After skipping a grade, he attended and graduated from Harlem High in 1957. During high school years, Jack was in 4-H. While attending Harlem High School, Jack met several lifelong friends.

After high school, Jack enjoyed his one semester at Montana State University. He then moved closer to home and graduated from Northern Montana College (MSU-Northern) with an Associate degree in Automotive Technology in 1961.

When his degree was complete, Jack said his Uncle Sam invited him to serve for two years in the United States Army until his honorable discharge in 1963. During this time, he traveled to Seattle, San Francisco, Hawaii, and eventually was stationed in Korea.

After the Army, he returned to Harlem, where he worked on the home ranch and then Olson Ford in Harlem. In early 1965, Jack met a young school teacher who was the love of his life. He knew he would marry Ethel after knowing her for four days. Jack and Ethel married in April 1965, at the Lutheran Church in Harlem. This is where they made their home, where they raised two boys, Matthew and Jeremy.

Jack began working for the Montana Department of Transportation in 1971. For many years, Jack maintained the roads between Harlem, Dodson, Hays, and Chinook. He retired in 2001, as the MDOT section man in Harlem. After his retirement from the MDOT, Jack took classes to become a lay minister for the Lutheran Church. He spent several years serving Dodson, Turner, Hogeland, and Harlem as an LPA until his final retirement in January 2026.

Jack's many adventures focused on his family. Whatever he did, it was with his wife and kids. He spent time with his family driving buses to swim meets, watching plays, cheering at football games, camping, fishing, and unsuccessfully trying to pass on his love of old cars.

In the early 1980s, Jack became an artist with his hobby of making wood models of old buildings called "Jack's Shacks". He would take his family to art shows in Montana and display his works for sale. He enjoyed being creative and visiting with fellow artists at these shows.

Jack loved living in Harlem and the people in the communities of Blaine and Phillips County. He found the most enjoyment serving the community that provided his family with a wonderful life. He had often volunteered in the community throughout his life. He had served as a City Council member, School Board member, Seed Show Art Superintendent, Lutheran Church council member, and volunteering at the Harlem Community Food Bank.

Jack was preceded in death by his father Jake; mother Laura, an infant brother Jack; his sister Dorothy; and a son he loved very much, Matthew Jack.

He is survived by Ethel, his wife of 61 years; his son Jeremy (Julie); grandsons Jackson, Noah, and Keegan; and his sister Doris (Larry) Jess of Havre.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Lutheran Church in Harlem, or your favorite local charity.