Renee Sieren
Renee Sieren
Renee Sieren
March 25, 1953 – July 08, 2021
What Cheer, Iowa | Age 68
Renee Sieren, 68, of What Cheer, died Thursday, July, 8, 2021 at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City. Renee was born March 25, 1953 in Rahway, New Jersey, to Milford Leroy (Pete) Tresslar and Donna Mae Hollingsworth Tresslar.
Renee was the second oldest of four children, Todd, Antoinette (Toni) and Rita. At a very young age, Renee and her siblings endured great tragedy with the loss of their mother, Donna on November 23, 1964, their father, M.L. (Pete) on November 20, 1968, and her brother Todd on October 4, 1969. The loss of her beloved parents and brother at a very young age created Renee to be a strong independent and hard working.
Renee spent most of her life living in Keokuk County, but after graduating from Indian Hills in 1971, she went to Minnesota to become a stenographer.
On October 6th, 1975, in Wyoming Linwood Twp, Minnesota, Renee was blessed with Todd Sean Ogilive, a beautiful son, who she named after her beloved brother. A few short years later, on February 4, 1977, Renee’s son, Todd Sean, tragedy died in a trailer home fire.
Renee found her way back to Keokuk County in the fall of 1977 and found her soulmate, best friend and husband until the end, Ralph P. Sieren. Ralph and Renee were married July 12, 1978 in Sigourney at the court house. Few months later they would renew their vows on September 16, 1978 in the St. Joseph Catholic Church in What Cheer.
Ralph and Renee were blessed with three very busy boys, Ralph Edward (Eddie) in 1978, Kenneth Michael in 1980, Scott James in 1981. Renee raised her boys to be just like her, to work hard, be strong, determined and stubborn and to love the ones close to you.
Renee and Ralph raised their boys on their family farm. Renee was raised in the city with no farming background but adapted quickly to the country and farming life. Many adventures took place on the farm including the Sieren Dairy Farm that included 65 cows that were milked at 5 am and again 5 pm. This was a family event; her young boys were sent out to gather the cows for her and give them feed as she cleaned and milked them. Renee was often interrupted as she milked the cows by her adventure’s boys. These adventures included Eddie falling out of the apple tree, rolling the dual tire on top of Scott, Kenny being hit in the head by his little brother Scott with a corn knife when they were sent out to cut weeds, and so many more! Renee would grab the hurt child and toss the other two into the car and took off to the local doctor. These stories have been told over and over at the kitchen table during holidays or just as we would all reminisce.
Renee was not afraid of hard work and could out work any man. Many times, you would fine Renee in the field with Eddie as they bailed hay, with Kenny as he was fixing machinery, helping Scott in the field many times unclogging the combine, grinding feed for the cows and calves, and every once in a while, when Renee would have a few mins, you would find her riding her beloved horses.
Renee and Ralph and their boys worked side by side for many years on the farm but also on the fence line. This family operated fencing business majorly included Renee, Ralph and Scott, and later Karen, Scott’s wife, joined. No matter how hard we tried to keep up with Renee, she was stronger, faster, and never stopped until the job was done. But at the end of a long day of building fence in the heat, Renee would always have a cooler full of refreshments. Many times, very early in the morning, we would walk into the farmhouse to pick up Ralph and Renee, we would find Renee cooking bacon, fried potatoes and over easy eggs for Ralph and she would always have enough for us.
Throughout the years Renee would have jobs off the farm that included delivering mail in the city, working in a hog confinement, modular home construction and DOT paving inspector. But in the end without Renee at home on the farm, we could not get along without her.
Renee was always a hard worker, strong, stubborn, independent woman, who would always be ready for the next adventure with Ralph. She was a dedicated wife to Ralph, a devoted mother to Eddie, Kenny and Scott and Karen, a loving grandmother to Ben, Emily, Lucas and Margaret and Milo and Maddie and Aubrey; and a wonderful aunt, cousin, and a friend to so very many.
Renee was preceded in death by her sons, Eddie and Todd; parents, M.L. (Pete) & Donna Tresslar and Kenny & Mary Louise Sieren; brothers, Todd and Steve Tresslar; grandparents, Adna and Edma Hollingsworth.
Renee is survived by her beloved husband Ralph P. Sieren; sons: Kenny (& Conrad) Sieren, Scott (& Karen) Sieren; grandchildren: Benjamen, Emily, Lucas, Margaret Sieren, Milo and Maddie Sieren and Aubrey Conrad; and a large loving family.
A celebration of life gathering will begin at 2:00 pm on Sunday, July 11, 2021 at the American Legion Hall in Keswick.
Burial will be held privately.
Memorial contributions may be made to the family. Holland-Coble Funeral Home in What Cheer is in charge of arrangements.
To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Renee Sieren, please click here to visit the Holland-Coble Funeral Home Sympathy Store.
