Remembering Kelly Siefert, Glasgow Montana’s Superfan
When I first got the word from our friend and farm broadcaster Haylie Shipp back in Glasgow- I told her, "Kelly has been good to me ever since I was a kid stuffing papers at the Glasgow Courier." Same. "He always had my back." That's how Haylie responded.
She told me that our friend Kelly Siefert, the publisher of "The Buzz" in Glasgow, had passed away. Kelly worked with my Grandpa Ron and my Grandma Joan and my mom and I think practically all of my aunts and uncles and my second cousins at the Glasgow Courier. He then launched "The Good Evening Glasgow" with my Uncle "Big Dave" before they created "The BS Buzz"- a nightly publication that they would hand deliver to several local bars, restaurants, grocery stores, and other businesses.
I think of Kelly as a Glasgow and a Montana superfan. If you caught the big fish at the lake- he put your photo in the Buzz. If your kid scored their first buck, he had em in the Buzz. He'd often print some of my Montana Talks articles over the years too. And when I sent out updates from Iraq and Afghanistan, he'd publish them in the GEG and the Buzz.
It wasn't just kids like Haylie and me...Kelly was the biggest cheerleader for any kid connected to Glasgow. A former classmate of mine, Parker Hahn, is now a full bird Colonel on Active Duty with the US Army.
Here's what Colonel Hahn shared with me after hearing the news that Kelly passed away: "I was deeply saddened to hear of Kelly’s passing. He was a kind, supportive, and genuinely invested individual who cared profoundly about the service members connected to the Glasgow community. I vividly remember his time at the Courier and later his impactful work with the GEG, where he and I corresponded frequently during my two deployments to Iraq. Kelly went above and beyond, coordinating care packages and heartfelt messages of support from the local community. After my second deployment, I had the privilege of stopping by to shake his hand and personally thank him for everything he did for me and my unit. His dedication and compassion left a lasting impression. Kelly will be greatly missed, and he will always be remembered as the written voice of the Hi-Line."
Here's the obituary that Kelly's family shared with us.
Obituary for Kelly Joseph Siefert of Glasgow, Montana
Kelly Joseph Siefert passed away in Seattle with the love of his life, Jenn Opheim by his side on February 8. Kelly was born in Glasgow on December 4, 1964.
He spent his early years in the Opheim area going to school, making good friends and enjoying outdoor sports like snowmobiling, coyote hunting, and one illegal antelope (he was just supposed to scare when he was 10.) He enjoyed riding the ponies with his foster sisters Shelly and Shiela and snowmobiling with his sister. When he was 12, the family moved to the outskirts of Wheeler and had a small pig farm. He loved the critters on the farm but didn’t care too much about pen cleaning. During the years spent in the Wheeler suburbs he and his best friend/cousin, Roy Dean Jimison, pulled many shenanigans on their motorcycles, and, when old enough to drive, pulled shenanigans that thankfully their mothers had no clue about. Dad knew where the vehicle in question was hidden!
When the family relocated to the city (Glasgow), Kelly was a sophomore in high school. After a short stint working in the lumber yard, he went to the Glasgow Courier looking for a job. After a few “not hiring now” he asked his mom what he should do. Enter Stan Sonsteng!! Shirley knew Stan and asked how Kelly could get an interview. Stan said to have Kelly come down on Wednesday after school to stuff ads and fold papers. That started a beautiful friendship. Stan was Kelly’s mentor for all things Courier, the presses, photography, and story writing. It didn’t take long for Courier owner, Ron Helland, to know he had a hard-working talented young man in Kelly. He also took Kelly under his wings. Kelly was honored to represent the Courier and Glasgow on a trip to Honduras and later the M89 Cattle Drive.
Life took a turn at the Courier, and Kelly and his good friend Dave Helland took a job at The Print Shop. That is where his “baby”, Good Evening Glasgow, was born.
Again, life took a turn, and Kelly and his friend, Freda Bruce, established B S Central in 2012. Kelly was forever grateful to everyone that helped set up the shop. It started with his dad, LeRoy going with him to Wyoming for printing presses with help from Uncle Ron. At that time, the town came together. Triple A Glass took out the window, Dan Carr from ShopKo furnished jacks, Dan Durell brought his forklift, Dean Hawkins added some muscle and Mom stayed out of the way (all at no charge). A new “baby” was born with the daily publication of the B S Buzz. Kelly put in long evenings and weekends to keep the printing and “the Buzz” going. For Glasgow, a day without the ‘buzz’ was not taken lightly. Grumble, Grumble, Grumble!
Again, life happened, and Zack Garsjo bought Freda’s partnership. Zach ‘Sanchez’ Garsjo became a trusted partner in the B S Central and a good friend.
At least one day each weekend, weather permitting, Kelly and his dad spent some time drowning minnows below the Powerhouse in the little temperamental boat. Their last fishing day was in August. Such great memories for LeRoy.
Life took its last turn. We are so grateful that he was ready to meet his maker, at peace, un-afraid, and pain free when he passed, and that his Mom, Dad, Sister and Brother-in-law were able to see him. I know that Kelly was grateful to have Darcy with him in his last days. I know that God was with him his whole life.
Kelly was a kind, gentle, and giving person. His writing and photography were beyond excellent. He did so much for so many “under the radar”. He will be missed by many till the next generation takes over.
He is survived by the love of his life, Jenn Opheim, his parents, LeRoy and Shirley, and his sister Darcy and Ryan Novachek. He also leaves behind his Aunt Bea Johnson, Uncle Bruce and Sharla Siefert, Uncle Ron and Aunt Freda Siefert and many cousins He loved all of us.
A celebration of his life will be held at a later date. As soon as we know, we’ll ask you to ‘save the date’.
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