Katherine Agnes Siegersma's Obituary
Katherine Agnes Siegersma (nee Gorter) was called home by her Lord and Savior on August 9, 2021, at the age of 81 after a brief battle with Mantle Cell Lymphoma. Kathy was born to Dutch immigrant parents, John and Aagje (Agnes) Vijver-Gorter on January 28, 1940, in Kenosha, Wisconsin. She was the third of four children born on the family farm. In 1952 Kathy and her family moved to Ontario, California after the family farm was sold to make room for Highway 40.
Kathy graduated from Chaffey High School in 1957 and attended Chaffey College. While working in the insurance industry Kathy met the love of her life, Chet Siegersma on a blind date in December of 1962. It was love at first sight. They were engaged on New Year’s Eve and married on May 4, 1963, at Bethel Congregational Church in Ontario. Kathy was a faithful and loving wife to Chet for 55 years until his death in 2018.
Chet and Kathy made their home in Upland where they welcomed three children, Audrey, Susan and Bradley. Kathy was a devoted wife and mother. She was an excellent cook, baker and seamstress. Kathy was involved in her children’s school and church activities, including PTA, Calvinettes, 4-H, Mothers’ Club and Cub Scouts. Kathy had a servant’s heart for the church from teaching Sunday school and heading up Vacation Bible School at the Ontario United Reformed Church. Together with Chet, they worked countless hours as part of a CRC church plant in Poway, and later volunteering at Emmanuel Faith Community Church where together they attended for many years. Kathy recently returned to the Escondido United Reformed Church to worship with family and longtime friends.
Throughout her life, Kathy was an avid learner, taking classes in photography, cake decorating, painting and computer programing. While Kathy enjoyed these hobbies, she mostly enjoyed digging deeper into God’s word and growing her faith. Kathy’s biggest joy came from being a grandmother and great-grandmother and prayed daily for each of them.
In 1982, Chet and Kathy moved to Escondido, then San Marcos, California where Kathy worked in the insurance industry and later in a small craft store. When Chet retired in 1995, the two enjoyed travelling in their motorhome visiting family across the country and camping locally with friends.
In August of 2020, Kathy moved from her home of 25 years to a brand-new apartment at Meadowbrook Village Christian Retirement Community overlooking the hills of Escondido. Kathy loved living at Meadowbrook and enjoyed playing cards and visiting with new and old friends within the community.
Kathy is survived by her children and their spouses, Audrey and Glen Brouwer (Escondido, CA), Susan and Bill Oglesby (Frisco, TX) and Bradley and Cassaundra Siegersma (Waverly, NE). Grandchildren Andrew & Alissa Brouwer, Brooke Brouwer, Rachel & Joel Kamp, Camille Brouwer, Caroline Oglesby, Mitchell Oglesby, Morgan Oglesby and Jordan Siegersma and great-grandchildren Reagan Brouwer, Micah Brouwer and Jason Kamp. Kathy is also survived by her sister Clara Smith, sister-in-law Norma Siegersma, along with many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be on Thursday, August 19, 2021, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Alhiser-Cromer Mortuary, 225 S. Escondido Blvd., Escondido, CA. A memorial service will be held on Friday, August 20, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. at the Escondido United Reformed Church located at 1864 N. Broadway, Escondido, CA. Interment will be at Miramar National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, in gratitude to the loving care Kathy received from her Meadowbrook caregivers, the family suggests donations to Meadowbrook Village Christian Retirement Community.
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