Nicolai Siemens, 94
Nicolai Siemens left us on Oct. 7, 2020. He joined God's heavenly choir to sing "How Great Thou Art."
He was born to Nicolai Siemens and Helena Siemens on June 5, 1926, in Karasan, Crimea, Russia. He was only 5 years old when he arrived in the United States at Ellis Island. He was the eldest of nine children. The family settled in Blaine, Washington, on a dairy farm.
He graduated from Blaine High School as valedictorian. Nicolai served in the Korean War as a second lieutenant. He received an honorable discharge Sept. 12, 1952.
His true calling was to be a teacher. He taught business management and industrial management at the University of Illinois, University of Georgia and University of Wyoming. He also taught overseas in Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong and Singapore.
In 1957 received a mechanical engineering degree at the University of Washington, and in 1965 he received a Master of Administration degree at the University of Oregon. In 1974 he received his Ph.D. from the University of Oregon.
While attending the University of Washington he met and married Petra Joy Strand on June 11, 1955. They adopted their son Larry in 1960 and their daughter Monica in 1962. Petra Joy Siemens passed away in 2001.
Nicolai met Geraldine Westom three years later. They were married on March 23, 2003, adding two more children to their family, Rick Westom and Teresa Chadwick.
He leaves behind his loving family, wife Geraldine Siemens, son Larry Siemens, son Rick Westom, daughter Teresa Chadwick (Johnny), brother Abe Siemens (Terry), sisters Erna Craven, Ruth Roetcisoender, Lydia Harris (Milt), son-in-law Mike Willey, grandsons Nicohlas Willey, Matthew Willey (Ali), great-grandson Griffin Willey, brothers-in-law Glenn Garner, Palmer Strand, Jack Cashdollar (Muriel), sister-in-law Phylis Smith, and many nieces and nephews and their children.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Nicolai and Helen Siemens, brother Little Abe Siemens, sisters Frieda Siemens, Mary Cashdollar and Helen Garner, brothers-in-law Bill Craven, Bill Roetcisoender, Melvin Strand, Kenny Strand, Jim Aspinwall and Leonard Smith, sister-in-law Signe Aspinwall, and his beautiful daughter Monica Joy Willey.
He will always be remembered for his sense of adventure, love and integrity, and his incredible work ethic; he was still driving his Case tractor at age 94; and especially his sense of humor. A well placed witty remark by Nick would have us bent over in uncontrollable laughter. He was a blessing for all who knew him. He will be loved and missed by all his family and friends. He will live in our hearts and memories forever.
A one year memorial service will be held in Trego, Saturday, Oct. 9, at 1: p.m. at 1318 Jim Creek Road.
