Allan Michael Siess

Allan Siess, 71, of Billings, passed away at home on the morning of Nov. 8, with his wife, son and two pups by his side. He left us much too soon, but we are thankful he is now at peace.

Al was born in Billings, and spent his formative years in Bozeman. His parents, Charles and Ruth Siess, raised their three children there, where “Chuck” worked at the local lumber yard and Ruth was a homemaker and card shark of the kitchen table.

Bozeman always held a special place in Al’s heart. He grew up there, went to college there (MSU-Bozeman), married his first wife and had his first two children there and always had so many folks he would recognize and reach out to every time he made the trek back.

Al started in the telephone and communications industry soon after college and followed that path for the majority of his professional career. He started with US West in Montana, which led him to AT&T in Salt Lake City, Utah, then to Sprint in Phoenix, Arizona, and eventually back home to Montana, working for Qwest and Deaconess here in Billings and then Spectrum, until his retirement. He had an innate aptitude for communications and technology, and ultimately loved the relationships and personal connections he made along the way.

Personally, Al spent a lot of his free time tackling projects around the house, using his considerable know-how to fix cars, repair wiring, plumbing or cabinetry or mount a woodworking project. He was regularly tending to the lawn or the plants and flowers in the yard and, throughout the Montana winters, he was constantly shoveling, shoveling and shoveling again. He could often be found at a Mustangs game with his wife, Sue, and loved hanging out on the porch with their pups, Belle and Cooper.

His two main passions, though, were always his family and food.

From a young age, Al was encouraged by his Mom to learn and experiment in the kitchen, and that resulted in a lifelong enthusiasm for cooking. He loved to concoct hearty, delicious meals in the kitchen, whether they be extravagant multi-course feasts for a holiday, grilling his signature burgers in the backyard or tossing together homemade crusts and whipping up an array of sumptuous pizzas. He always left a mountain of dishes in need of a good scrubbing … and, his family and friends smiling and feeling very, very well-fed.

This love of food was also an extension of his eagerness to travel. Over the past decade alone, he and his wife, Sue, took vacations to Ireland, Italy, New York City, Hawaii and more, seeing glorious sights, tucking into tasty local cuisines and toasting with the finest of local beverages. And, whether visiting his kids in their respective cities or on a night out at a Billings eatery, Al thrived on forging memories with family and friends over a meal and a drink … and, maybe also something delectable from the dessert menu.

Al was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Ruth Siess.

Al is survived by his wife, Sue, with their two pups (Belle and Cooper); his five children, Michelle (husband, Shawn, and daughters, Emilie and Isabelle), Jared, Kourtney (fiancé, Nick, and pups, Charlie and Lily), Rebecca (her pup, Arya) and Amy (husband, Barry, and pups, Destin and Emerson).

He is also survived by his siblings, Dick Siess and Karen Monforton in Bozeman (and their large, lovely families); an ample extended family; and many, many dear friends (including lifelong childhood chums and his weekly coffee buddies). He delighted in getting updates from all of them, letters, cards, texts and photos detailing their life’s events and achievements. Receiving these would entirely light up his day.

We will all miss him so dearly. We will miss his laughter, his cooking, his endless support and advice. We will miss the warmth, comfort and generosity he brought to all of our lives. It will never be the same without him, but we will carry his memory, the lessons and experiences he gave us forward, as he would want us to do.

We love you, Al / Dad / Granddad / Uncle Al!!!

Michelotti-Sawyers is handling arrangements and a memorial service will be held at a later date.

A special mention of gratitude to the entire staff of RiverStone Hospice Care, especially Lisa, Cori and Michelle. Any donations on Al’s behalf can be directed to RiverStone.