Kevin Robert Sieler
June 8, 1961 - July 28, 2017
Obituary
Kevin Robert Sieler
Kevin Robert Sieler, age 56, passed away Friday, July 28th, 2017, surrounded by family and friends at St. Francis Hospital, Federal Way, Washington.
Kevin was born on June 8th, 1961 in Billings, Montana, to parents Robert (Bob) Allen Sieler and Grace Elizabeth (Adams) Sieler. He and his parents were actively involved in the congregational life of Parkhill Assembly of God Church in Billings and could be found there whenever the church doors were open. Kevin attended Ponderosa Elementary, Riverside Junior High and graduated from Billings Senior High School in 1979. He attended Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington from 1979 to 1984. He married Carrie Sue (Pickett) Sieler on August 27, 1983 in Chehalis, Washington and the couple had 2 children together. After briefly living in Centralia, Washington; Billings, Montana; and Kent, Washington; Kevin and his family put down roots in Federal Way, Washington. Kevin accepted a position at Alaska Airlines in 1997, where he worked in the Reservations and Information Technology departments for more than 20 years, and where he formed many lifelong friendships.
Kevin’s passion from childhood and throughout his entire life was building relationship with his Savior, Jesus Christ. He enjoyed vacation planning, gardening, family game nights, his beloved Seahawks and attending his grandson’s sporting events. The legacy that he left is his capacity to love deeply and with his whole heart, so much so that his grandson, shortly before his passing, said to his mother, “I love you mom, and I love my dad, but I could not live without Mama and Papa, they are my best friends.” This is just a small but meaningful testimony to how many people feel about him and how deeply and richly he loved us.
His daughters remember family get togethers consisting of playing lengthy games of Canasta, memorable games of Sequence, holiday games of Scategories, games of Balderdash where telling a little white lie seemed to be a little too easy, but NEVER games of Risk due to his desire for world domination.
Here are some heartfelt words from Carrie: “Life with Kevin wasn’t always easy, but it was always an adventure. One constant thing throughout our 34 years together was that he never stopped ensuring that all of his loved ones were taken care of. The day before our wedding, he purchased life and health insurance for us and ensured we had more than adequate coverage until the day he passed. Kevin’s sense of humor was the most contagious, and when he thought he “said a funny,” his belly laugh made everyone laugh even when it wasn’t funny, or was the 10th time you had heard it. He was the consummate vacation planner and took me on vacations I never would have taken without his planning. When I say he was a planner, I mean, every hotel, restaurant, photo opportunity was planned and printed along with maps and local information, placed in a binder and followed to the T. But, it was always the best adventure. He even read about the best way to “do” Disneyland – when you walk into the park, turn to the left towards Adventureland and go clockwise through the park because 75% of people go right. Kevin took his responsibility as the head of our home seriously, which extended to our parents as well. His absence in our lives will be a tremendous void, but he taught us how to love and how to live, and we will honor him by trying to follow his blessed example. I love you, Kevin, to the moon and back. Save me a seat, I’ll be there one day.”
Kevin is survived by his wife of 34 years, Carrie, his daughters, Nikki (Joseph) Stephens and Amanda Sieler, one grandson, Shane, his parents, Bob and Grace Sieler, and a multitude of loved ones. He is preceded in death by his brother, Kerry, his paternal grandparents, Albert and Elsie Sieler, and maternal grandparents, Harold and Viola Adams, and his fathers-in-law, Larry Pickett and Ray Wagner.
A memorial service, with reception to follow, is scheduled for Friday, August 4th, 2017, at 11:00 am at Northwest Church, 34800 – 21st Ave SW, Federal Way. In lieu of flowers, Kevin’s family would be honored to have donations made in his name to the Alzheimer’s Association.
My prayers go out to all of you. Although I hadn’t seen Kevin in years I thought of Kevin, Grace and Bob often. Kevin and I were best friends when we were little. I was at their house so much I called Grace my second mom. I am so sorry for your loss.
Sincerely
Cheryl Phillips
Dear Nikki and family, I am so very sorry about your great loss. Kevin was a wonderful coworker, who taught and guided me and others with patience and kindness. He always knew how to fix issues and loved to share his knowledge. The fact that he was loved by all, is a testament of how well he lived his life. He will be missed. Please accept my condolences, Nicole Anderson
I am so sorry Carrie. I know it must be hard but the knowledge that he loved Jesus helps us,and know that someday we will be united again with our loved ones. You and your family are in our prayers.
Kevin was my cousin but I always thought of him as my brother from another mother. His mother and my mother are sisters. Kevin had a sneaky sense of humor that could make you snort peas and carrots out of your nose laughing. During the dark time in my life Kevin was a lighthouse of faith and non-judgmental friendship that was a key factor in my walk out of the darkness and back to faith. I love you Carrie, Nikki, Amanda, Grace and Bob. I can’t be there in person but I’ll send my love and hugs from my broken heart.
Terribly sorry to hear this news via the Alaska website. Sincerest condolences to you, Carrie, and your entire family. Thinking of you all during this time of such sorrow.
Kevin will be forever loved and missed until we meet again. I pray God’s comfort and provision for you,the family.
Dear Nikki and family, I am so sorry for your great loss. I felt a loss when he left Alaska Airlines. He was always pleasant and patient, willing to take the necessary time to help me with some problem at work regardless of how it would affect his “stats”! What a wonderful guy! God be with you and Shane and the whole family. You’re in my thoughts and prayers. Love, Barb Faulk
I am so sorry to hear of Kevin’s passing. He was a always so nice and easy to work with when I was at Alaska. I know he will be greay missed by his family and friends. I look forward to seeing him again in Heaven.
I met Kevin at Northwest College when he won the heart of my dear friend, Carrie. Kevin was a tender-hearted man who loved the Lord. I’ll always remember his kindness toward my mom; she had a special place in her heart for him. He was one of a kind and I’m thankful to him for loving Carrie well. Their marriage has been a wonderful example of sticking together through thick and thin and being faithful to God by being faithful to each other. You could see their love for each other keep growing and growing. He loved his precious family so much and was so proud of you all. You are all in my continual prayers.
Kevin was a great guy and I look forward to seeing him again. Family is in our thoughts and prayers.
To the kids and family I am so sorry. Kevin was an amazing person he talked about how much he loved all of you. He was always such a good listener and I really enjoyed working with him. He will be missed so much we all here at Alaska truly loved him. He was the kindest most wonderful person. I want you all to know your in my prayers. Much love Rose
He was a beautiful person. A patient and kind work colleague who was always helpful. With his move to the IT department, our latest talks were only over the phone. My favorite memory is that he ended every one of our calls with “Thanks Friend.” Said with that gentle voice of his, it always made me fell like I had just had a Hug from Kev, like we were in the same room. He was so proud of his family and they of him, it made every conversation a good one, filled with love and humor. You and your family have our hearts, prayers and support.
What a lovely summary of his life. May God bless his family in this sorrow-filled time.
I indicated in the obituary that Kevin was the consummate planner. Many don’t know that he planned and prepared his entire memorial service in 2015. He made a 13-min video set to music consisting of hundreds of photos, he chose his funeral home, the music and wrote a beautiful 4-page testimony that deeply moved all who heard it – even the pastor who read it at the service. See…even then he was taking care of us. I couldn’t have planned a service so perfect. We modified it a bit, but all in all, it was the service he planned, created, and wrote. Thank you, Sweetheart, for thinking of us even before we knew we needed your help. I miss having you here to help with the myriad of things that require identifying, fixing, changing, but mostly, I miss having you lie beside me in bed, your soft whiffle while you sleep in your recliner, your laughter, your love. I know you’re ensconced in Glory, in a new and whole body without pain or injury, and I’m filled with joy for you, but heart breaks for me and the girls and the rest of our family. You likely did not know (and that’s our fault), how important you were to all of us. Dance and sing, my love, worshipping the One who loves you most. I look forward to the day when we will be reunited.
Kevin was a great husband, father, son, papa, etc but to me, he was a great friend. Kev and I met in college and became best friends. We’d laugh together, argue with each other, cry together and pray together. Yes, we’d even play risk together. I remember once when Kevin flipped the while board in the middle of a game, lol. We learned to quit
playing risk! When Kevin met Carrie, it was live at first sight. Soon Carrie would join Kev and I when we went somewhere around Seattle and of course they would have their times together where I wasn’t present! 🙂 it was an honor to be in Kevin and Carrie’s wedding and Kevin to be in mine. I got to be around his girls, Nikki and Amanda, while they grew up and stayed several different times at their house. We didn’t get to spend as much time together the last several years but that didn’t change our friendship. Kevin was a prince of a man and he will be missed by so many people. My love and
prayers are with you and your family Carrie. Kev would never end a call without saying “love you.” So I end this memorial by saying love you Carrie, Nikki, Amanda, Shane and extended family.
I ate lunch with Kevin every day at work for the last few years. I might see him down the row motioning with his hand to mouth that it was time to eat or he would come by my desk and say, “You ready?”
Around the table, we’d do a lot of talking, there was frequent laughing and some venting–we shared our lives around that table.
Those of us at the table got to know Kevin’s heart, his family, his faith, his habits–including an occasional nap right there at the table!
What did I learn from Kevin over the years?
– He planned the heck out of things–but he did so to make life or work easier for those around him.
– Be kind to others or smile–because that may be the very thing that impacts another the most. I’ve heard multiple times over the past 10 days: “Kevin is such a good guy.” “He always had a smile on his face.”
– Have faith in Jesus Christ–because He is our hope when things aren’t going the way we expected.
I’ll miss Kevin at our lunch table every day, but I know that he is seated at a much larger table in Heaven right now.
Carrie and family, hugs and prayers for you!!
Kevin and I worked together for many, many years in both Res and E-commerce. Both of us being early birds, we frequently had time to chat before the majority of our co-workers arrived in the morning. I miss his wry, dry, wit, and his ability to make fun of himself–and sometimes others, but only in a kind, gentle way!
He was dedicated to his career, and as Paula noted, was organized and planning ahead at all times. Our chats made clear, though, that the loves of his life were his wife, daughters, and Shane. Rarely a day went by when he didn’t have an anecdote from the “home front” that conveyed where his heart was. The photos on his desk reinforced that.
Condolences to the family; happy your faith and church is there to help you through this challenging time.
To All of You: I was not fortunate to personally know Kevin well, we met just a few times. I have known you Carrie, for many years and through you I learned how much you loved Kevin and how much he loved all of you. His Christmas letters always required a Large cup of coffee to read but they were so worth it. His love of life and his family came through each year. When we were working in CASC together, I remember Kevin visiting your team, and from over the wall would hear him laughing and making the whole team laugh. I know this is a difficult time and I can only share my experience of loosing a loving spouse. Grieve your way, don’t let anyone tell you how to feel, act, eat, sleep, when to get out of bed and when not to! This journey is yours and I know with your faith you have the best person next to you who can help. I will be here too. Love you Carrie and all your family. Love, Debbie (AKA Perry)
We remember seeing Kevin at any of the “Adam’s” gatherings. We always remember his great smile and love for family. Reading his obituary is such a wonderful testimony of a life well lived. May the Lord comfort and be gracious to you.
A year, so long and yet so very short. I can’t believe that it has only been a year since you went to sit beside Jesus. To finally spend countless moments with your baby brother and to see all your family and friends who passed on before you. I know that you are where you need to be happy and healthy for the first time in forever, but I miss you so much. I miss hearing love you pumpkin as you wrap your arms around me in a hug, your sooo not funny jokes. I miss you, but want you to know that we are doing ok, we are learning to live with just your memories…and they are many. Shane is such an amazing young man…and I know that is because of you daddy…thank you for all you have instilled in him. He is walking an amazing path with Jesus and really living out his convictions…I know you are proud.
We think of you every day and with miss you with every breathe we take. I love you to the moon and back!!