Arlene Joyce (Hill) Siebring

Arlene Joyce Hill Siebring went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at the age of 98 on May 2, 2023.

  Arlene was a resident of Grand Rapids, Michigan at the time of her death. She was born in Aurora, South Dakota November 30, 1924 to Elmer Zaharias Hill and Alma Othilia Stubsten Hill.

   Her brothers Verlyn Hill, Burdette Hill. and sister Evelyn Hill preceded her in death. She is survived by her sister Lavonne Hill Strasser and brother Murl Hill who live in South Dakota.

  Arlene graduated from Estaline High School in Estaline, South Dakota and Augustana College in Sioux Falls South Dakota. She went on to teach high school English in George Iowa.

  Arlene was married to Barton Gerhardt Siebring of George, Iowa.

  In 1948 they moved to McAllen, Texas, where they both worked in secondary level teaching and administration at PSJA (Pharr, San Juan, Alamo) High School. There, they had three children: Susan (Bill Burtness), Heidi (David Moon), and Barton Gerhardt Siebring, Jr. (Laurie Bonnema).

  They later moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan where Barton was a professor of Spanish language at Calvin College.

  Together they created the international language school, Semester in Spain. They lived in Seville Spain for 15 years.

  Arlene will always be remembered for the special gifts that she shared with her family and friends. She graced our presence with her positive spirit, compassion, encouragement, and with the unconditional love she had for each and every one of us.

  Arlene lived her life glorifying God. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Nothing brought her greater joy than spending time with her family. It has been a gift to have had her with us all these years!

  She was our friend.

  She was our great grandmother.

  She was our grandmother.

  She was our mother. 

  She was our heart.

  And she will be dearly missed!

  Arlene is survived by her three children, seven grandchildren (Rachael (Matt Piercey), Rebekah (Ryan Frost), John (Marie Bonjour) Burtness, and Mark (Brittany Stebel) Burtness, Hillary (Ben Masterson), Arianne (Tim Dhonnhok), and Graham (Kristin Tsistinas) Siebring).

  Arlene is also survived by her 13 great grandchildren: Jaidan, Samuel and Esben Piercey of Redding, California, Liam, Ari and Ethan Frost of Urbana, Illinois, Sophie, Alexis and Jack Burtness of Portland, Oregon, and Noah, James, klara and Adele Burtness of Belchertown, Mass.

    A celebration of Arlene Siebring‘s life will be held on Monday, May 15, 2023 at 11:00AM at Cross Way Community Church 3950 Burton St. SE Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546.

  Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to CrossWay Community Church. 

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