Christine Siemsen

Christine E. Siemsen, age 79, of Peotone, passed away on Monday, July 22, 2019 at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, IL.

She was born on March 16, 1940 in Reading, MI, the daughter of Howard E. and Clara Elizabeth (Phelps) Bidlack.  Christine married Terrance Siemsen on June 3, 1961 at the Immanuel United Church of Christ in Peotone.  Chris was very church minded, first attending a Nazarene church in Reading, MI, then attending Olivet Nazarene College, then becoming a member of Immanuel United Church of Christ in Peotone where her husband had grown up.  She was a librarian for 25 years in the Peotone School System.  She was an avid reader who owned nearly 1,000 books as well as a collector of various forms of art glass. She enjoyed quilting and belonged to the Kankakee Quilters.  She enjoyed making prayer quilts for the church.  She also liked to travel, traveling throughout the United States and also some in Europe by land and river excursion.

She is survived by her husband, Terry Siemsen of Peotone; 2 sons, Greg (Rose) Siemsen of Clinton, IL and Scott (Lisa) Siemsen of Monee, IL; a daughter, Crystal (Rick) Petrovic of Seneca, SC; and grandchildren, Eric Siemsen, Gregory Siemsen, Amber McGowen; Andrew (Beth) Siemsen, Scott T. (Amber) Siemsen, Kate (Jacob) Grant, Dan Siemsen, Ryan Petrovic, and Amanda (Cody) Thatcher.  She also took great pride in having 12 great-grandchildren, 7 natural and 5 by adoption.  She is also survived by 2 sisters, Linda (Richard) Kast and Brenda (the late Ben) Tobin; and a brother Brian (Alice) Bidlack.  She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Francis Caulkins.

Visitation will be held at the Fedde-Helfrich-Cross Funeral Home on Friday, July 26 from 3:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. with funeral services being held at 8:00 p.m., Nancy Wheeler officiating.  Cremation rites will be accorded following all services.  Memorials to Immanuel United Church of Christ would be appreciated.