Obituary of Elizabeth E Siedenburg

Elizabeth Emmaline Siedenburg

Elizabeth (Liz) was born to Gladys and Glen Cowen Sr. on September 18, 1931 in Bird City, Kansas. She was the second oldest of five, and was raised by her mother in Haxton, Colorado after her father passed away from a farm accident.  Liz began working after school to help support her family at the age of 7, washing dishes at a local diner for a nickel an hour. Liz was always doing without so others might have what they needed. She worked her whole childhood and developed a strong work ethic and a heart of service. 

When she was 19, she met her future husband, Theodore (Ted) Siedenburg. Ted joined the Navy in 1952 and was stationed in San Diego, California.  After a whirlwind courtship, Liz and Ted met in Yuma, Arizona and they eloped on August 16th, 1953. She then joined Ted in California.  With the end of the Korean War, Ted completed his time with the Navy and they moved to the Siedenburg family farm near Holyoke, Colorado. It was here that they worked and continued to grow their family. After living ten years in Holyoke, the family moved to Boulder in 1967. Ted worked for the Colorado Department of Transportation and Liz worked at Montgomery Wards as a bookkeeper. Their family flourished in Boulder, then Louisville in 1979. The kids soon started lives of their own. Ted and Liz both retired in 1989. In retirement she volunteered at the Advent Health Avista hospital in Louisville.  

Later Ted and Liz found new joy in life with their grandchildren.  To that end, they moved to Johnstown, Colorado in 1997 and settled just three blocks away from their grandkids. With Ted’s passing in 2002, Liz became the family’s matriarch. She hemmed and mended  their clothes (often with a moment’s notice) and saved many beloved stuffed animals from losing limbs. She also filled her time making cookies, banana bread, and all sorts of jams because she knew her family and friends enjoyed them. Liz would pick up the younger grandkids from school and they often enjoyed warm cookies and cold milk until their parents picked them up.  Liz also made weekly Wednesday dinner for her grandkids every week for 20+ years, taking great pride in being able to provide for her family. She would bake their favorite sweets for birthdays and host all holidays. Her home was always a comforting place for all to gather.

Liz was known for her loving treatment of everyone, and always ensured she gave everyone gifts and treats of equal measure so no one would ever feel that they were not as special to her. All of us looked forward to our plate of Christmas cookies and fudge each year.  She would make special dishes to cater to the likes and dislikes of her family. Every Christmas she would make a special dish of fudge without nuts for one grandchild; and at family barbecues, another family member got his own special bowl of potato salad without onions.

Liz was the best example of those who are called to service, and was incredibly humble about her gifts to those around her. Her main concern was always how she could best entertain and serve. She would stress about being the best host to everyone who would enter her home, regardless if it was for a few minutes or for a few days. She would take note of her family and friend’s favorites, and often visitors would come over to a fresh baked batch of cookies or a loaf of banana bread lovingly made just for them. She loved being able to sit down and share her stories while enjoying a cup of tea and a baked treat. 

Liz also established strong ties in her community. She was an active member of the United Methodist Church in Johnstown and the Johnstown Senior Center. She volunteered to serve lunch every week at the senior center, help at the church rummage sale, and bake pies for the church Thanksgiving dinner.  One of her favorite activities was traveling up to Blackhawk with her friends and/or sister to bet on the penny slots. She continued her Blackhawk trips up until this last year.

 In 2023, Liz had two major falls where it became necessary to move her to Grace Pointe. While she loved her home and was disappointed to not be blocks away from her family and cooking her famous treats, her room was a revolving door of visitors from her family and friends. While she spent her last few months at Grace Pointe, she was always surrounded by those who loved her so much. Everything possible was done to make her feel at home. Liz was placed into hospice Friday, February 2nd 2024. As a family, we all came around her for her last few days and enjoyed her loving company and her witty remarks. Liz passed away peacefully at 2 am February 5th, 2024 surrounded by two of her granddaughters, giving her the company she always loved as she began her next journey.

Liz was an amazing sister, mother, grandmother, and friend. The Siedenburgs have been very blessed to have her as the matriarch of their family.  She is greatly missed, and her love for those she has touched endures in our hearts and in the many Liz stories we share.  

Liz is preceded in death by her husband, Theodore, her brothers Manual and Glen, and her sisters Phoebe and Joann. Liz is survived by her sons; Glen (Penne), Gale (Kelly), and Gary (Carrie), her grandchildren; Angela, Ryan, Danielle, Sabrina, and Star, and her great grandchildren; Tony, Danny, Gabby, and Gabriel.