Mary Jane Siekert

Mary Jane Siekert, of Rochester, passed away Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013, at Charter House. She was 83 years old. Mary Jane was married to Dr.Robert "Bob" Siekert for 62 years. Mary Jane was born in Pottsville, Pa., in 1929, and grew up in Tamaqua, Pa. She was the daughter of John J. and Katherine (Koch) Evans.As a youth in Tamaqua, Mary Jane was active in school affairs, student government, wrote for the student newspaper and sold shoes at a local shoe store. She graduated from Tamaqua High School in 1946, and in 1949 earned her R.N. degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing where she was Editor-in-Chief of "The Record." In 1951, Mary Jane married Dr. Siekert who, at the time, was in the Navy and stationed in Philadelphia. Subsequently, Dr. and Mrs. Siekert moved to Rochester where Dr. Siekert completed his residency in neurology at the Mayo Clinic. Dr. Siekert joined Mayo staff in 1954. Mary Jane was active in a variety of civic affairs in Rochester including the Minneapolis Symphony (now the Minnesota Orchestra), Rochester Civic Music Guild, Heritage House, PTA and League of Women Voters. She also taught Sunday school at Zumbro Lutheran Church for many years. Mary Jane loved people and she loved to cook. Her considerable culinary skills were often exhibited in the passion she and Bob shared for entertaining. Mary Jane was a wonderful wife, mother, sister and friend. She was very humble and always thought first of her husband and family. She was a source of hope, love, joy and inspiration to all. She will be missed. Mary Jane is survived by her husband; son, Robert Jr. (Linda), of Plano, Texas, son, John, of Rochester, and son, Fred (Glenna), of Prior Lake; sister, Sandra, and brother, Robert, both of Tamaqua; sister-in-law, Lorraine Thomas, of Mequon, Wis., and several nieces and nephews. Mary Jane was preceded in death by her parents and by her sisters, Jeanne Johnson, Patricia Evans, and Nancy Fisher. A memorial service is planned for Friday, March 1, at 10 a.m. at Charter House. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Mayo Foundation or the University of Pennsylvania.