Reta was born on October 30, 1930, in Platte, South Dakota to Bernard and Ida Nelson.  She was baptized at Valley Lutheran Church in Bovee, SD.  She grew up in Platte, along with her sister Shirley and brothers Gailen and Kenneth.   Reta loved school.  After graduating from Platte High School in 1948, she moved to Mitchell, South Dakota to go to Business College.   

In 1951, Reta and her girlfriend moved to Portland, Oregon to work.  She was hired by Employers Mutual of Warsaw Insurance.  While in Portland, Reta met Bill Siefken, who was stationed in the Air Force there as a Staff Sergeant.  Reta was married to her beloved Bill at the Portland Air Force Base Chapel on April 12, 1952.  Their sons Richard and Scott were born while the couple lived in Portland.   After Bill was discharged from the Air Force in 1954, the family moved to Pueblo Colorado where Bill worked and completed his apprenticeship as a machinist.  Their son Jeffrey was born while in Pueblo.  Bill and Reta purchased a new home that was not finished, and the couple went to work – this would be the first of many home construction projects they would tackle together through the years.  In 1960, Bill received a call from G.E. that they had a machinist job for him, and Bill and Reta moved to Richland.  Reta loved the area from the day she arrived and felt blessed to live here. Their family continued to grow, as Brian and Bill Jr. were born at the old Kadlec in Richland.   Reta said she felt so blessed that she was able to be a stay-at-home mom to their five boys.   

In 1975 Bill & Reta founded Siefken & Sons Construction, and the family began developing the Bryn Mawr Apartments in North Richland.  Reta’s prior business college training proved valuable to her in her role as Office Manager for Siefken & Sons Construction, where she worked until retiring.   They received the Small Business of the Year “Award for Excellence” in 1995.   After retiring, she and Bill continued managing their growing rental property business and were active members of the Apartment’s Association for many years.    

Reta enjoyed RV traveling with Bill and their friends for many years, traveling with the Rotarians, and made many memorable trips with family to the Oregon Coast, Hawaii, and Charbonneau Park.    

Reta was an active member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Richland since 1961.  Reta loved the Lord, and joyfully shared her faith with those around her.  Reta was a loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend.  Reta had a quick smile and made friends easily.  She touched the lives of so many and made lasting friendships in every aspect of her life’s journey, and each was special to her.   

Reta was called home by her Lord and Savior on July 29, 2024, with family by her side while residing at Callaway Gardens Alzheimer’s Special Care Center in Kennewick where she was cared for over the past few years.   Reta is survived by sons Richard (Carole) Siefken, Scott Siefken, Jeff (Jami) Siefken, and Bill Siefken, Jr., grandchildren, Aaron (Felicia) Siefken, Ryan (Marche) Siefken, Shane (Chelsi) Siefken, Brendan (Anissa) Siefken, Abbie (Buck) Hegland, Megan (Darrell) Russell, Jeremy (Lisa) Siefken, Jake Siefken, and 18 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her husband Bill Siefken – they were married for 71 years before his passing in 2023, their son Brian Siefken (car accident, 1983), and by her brothers Gailen Nelson and Kenneth (Marilyn) Nelson, sister Shirley (Lester) Hildebrand, daughter-in-law Christine (Roske) Siefken, granddaughter Rowena Christine Siefken, and great-granddaughter Clara Lynn Siefken.   

Reta’s life was a testament to a life well lived, love for her Savior, and love for others and she will be dearly missed.  She was laid to rest on August 5th, 2024, between her husband Bill and their son Brian.   

There will be a Celebration of Life Service on Friday, August 23, 2024 @ 2:00 pm at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 520 Thayer Drive in Richland.  All are invited and welcome to attend.