Floyd Lewis Siemens was born February 15, 1930 in Hutchinson. He went to be with his Lord and Savior July 7, 2022 at the age of 92. He was the only son of Harry and Helen (Esau) Siemens. He has two older sisters, Lovella Adrian and Elma Jean Brandt and one younger sister, Evelyn Fay, who died in infancy.
As a boy, he lived on the homestead of his grandfather. His father, Harry Siemens, built an 11 room house on the home place. Floyd, Marie, Cyndi and Mark called this place home for a short time. Floyd bought a lot in town and built the house that they lived in for many years. Later he built the house east of town.
On September 27, 1952 Floyd married Marie Strauss. They had four children, Cynthia (Perry) Koehn, Mark (Sheila) Siemens, Tom (Mary) Siemens, and Christine (Alan) McFerren. They have eight grandchildren, Ryan (Erin) Koehn, Laurie Koehn, Clinton (Lindsey) Koehn, Molly (Bruce) Yoder, Amanda McFerren, Shelby (LaWayne) Slabaugh, Clay Siemens, and Baylee (Danny) Knapp. Seven great-grandchildren were added to the family, Joshua Koehn, Matthew Koehn, Colby Koehn, Nelsen Koehn, Boone Koehn, and Rhett Yoder.
Floyd had a custom harvesting business from 1954 to 1994. It was a family business with Marie doing the cooking, laundry and running the household for the family and crew. As the kids got old enough they helped too. Mark and Tom helped in the field and Cyndi and Chris helped with the housekeeping duties. Through this business, the kids learned to have a work ethic and by receiving wages they were taught to manage money at a young age. He also taught the family to have fun and taught God’s Creation as he drove us through National Parks. We saw the parks from the back of a wheat truck that also served as a camper.
During the winter months, he would get various temporary jobs. He started out driving truck for Hesston Corp. and later worked with electricians, plumbers and carpenters, learning skills that he would use over and over to build his own houses or help his kids remodel.
Floyd had an interest in woodworking. We all have something he made in his shop. He made toys, cabinets, furniture or just a special box for special treasures. He and Marie would design them, he would build them and she would finish them, often with artwork. He also rebuilt a 1949 Jeep CJ-2A and helped Ryan, his oldest grandson, rebuild a Jeep CJ-7. Floyd loved working in the shop creating, rebuilding or refinishing whatever he could find, anything to keep his mind and hands busy. In retirement, Floyd continued to stay in harvest mode. He drove a truck during fall harvest and worked at Gaeddert’s during corn season. He loved those jobs.
Floyd and Marie loved to travel and were overseas several times, going to Europe and the Holy Lands. They also visited all 50 states.
Floyd accepted Christ as his Savior at the age of 12 at a revival meeting. He was baptized in Finnamore Lake and was a lifelong member of Buhler Mennonite Brethren Church. He was an Elder and served on several committees. He also loved to sing and the hymns were very special to him. He was a member of the 500 Mennonite Men’s chorus for several years. His faith was precious to him and his desire was that everyone will come to know Christ as their Savior.
Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, July 12, 2022 at Buhler Municipal Cemetery. A memorial service will follow at 11 a.m., at Buhler Mennonite Brethren Church. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m., Monday, July 11 at Buhler Mortuary with family present from 6 to 8 p.m.