November 14, 1940 - August 4, 2022
Harley “Roger” Herman Siira, 81 passed away on August 4, 2022 at his home in Loveland, Colorado. He was born on November 14, 1940 in Stanley, North Dakota, the sixth of eight children, born to Arne and Elma Siira. He attended school in Van Hook and New Town, North Dakota, graduated from New Town High School in 1958. Roger then enlisted in the US Army in 1958, served in Germany, received an Honorable Discharge after his father passed in 1960. Roger came home to run the family farm, help support his mother and care for his younger brothers.
In 1962, Roger married Barbara Knight, their daughter, Shelisa “Lisa” Siira, was born in Minot, North Dakota in 1963. He often claimed, Lisa was his pride and joy. In 1966 they moved to Kenai, Alaska where Roger worked for Wagley Construction as a welder on the Cook Inlet offshore oil platforms. He then went to work for VECO Corporation working both in the Inlet and on the North Slope oilfields. He became noted for his welding expertise and was one of the first ones to weld on test sections of the 48-inch diameter pipelines to be used for construction of the Trans Alaska Pipeline System. He was later elevated to Kenai Operations Manager, then North Slope Operations Manager for VECO. He moved to Grand Junction in 1996 and eventually to Loveland, Colorado where he has resided close to Lisa for the last several years.
Roger was a great storyteller and loved to share about the adventures he had growing up on the farm, working in the North Dakota and Alaska oilfields and reminiscing about all the mischief he, his brothers, nephews & cousins got into. He looked forward to their trips back to New Town, ND, to meet up with old friends, golf and of course find their way to the 4 Bears Casino.
His friends and family meant the world to Roger, he cherished every moment he got to spend with them. He loved fishing, hunting, playing dice with his buddies at the Elks Lodge in Loveland, going to Bronco games, making his mother’s famous baked beans and cinnamon rolls. Roger was so proud of his Finnish heritage, even celebrating St. Urho Day every year. Some of his favorite memories with his family were watching his nephew, Daniel, play hockey, supporting his son-in-law, Jon, by going to every car race he competed in, taking his grandson, Ty, on many special trips and adventures together, spoiling his granddaughters, Sherrell & Sierra, eating steak and lobster with grandson Dan, listening to his great-granddaughter, Makenna, sing & play her guitar, talking & watching baseball with his great-grandson, Kyler, and doing anything and everything he could with his beloved daughter, Lisa.
Anyone that was lucky enough to spend time with Roger, would tell you that he had a huge heart, and was filled with humility and gentleness – he would stop anything he was doing to help you, many would call Roger their hero.
Roger is survived by his daughter, Lisa Krizman (Jon) of Loveland, CO, granddaughter Sherrell Spoelma (Dan) of Loveland, grandson Ty Krizman of Loveland, great-grandchildren, Makenna & Kyler Spoelma, sister, Shirley Mikel of Milton, WA, Richard (Robyn) Siira of Anchorage, AK, Roy Siira of Palmer, AK.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Arne & Elma, brothers, Henry, Norman & Ronald, sister Carmen (DeSchneau), and granddaughter Sierra Krizman.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 27th at 1:00pm, at the Veterans Club, 305 N. Cleveland Ave, Loveland CO 80537. Please wear blue in honor of Roger’s favorite color. http://evite.me/mZpGdQUn2v
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Sierra’s Race Against Meningitis, 2979 Telluride Place, Loveland CO 80538, in honor of Roger’s granddaughter, Sierra Marie Krizman.
