On April 19, 2025, Delores Valarie Siegfried, known lovingly by her friends and family as “Dolly,” went to be with the Lord. Born on Sept. 19, 1928, to Charles and Blanche Engel in St. Paul, Minnesota, this compassionate, charismatic, smart and spirited woman lived a life filled with love, adventure and service, leaving an indelible mark on all who knew her.
A former cheerleader at Highline High School in West Seattle, Dolly, ever the spirited woman, never lost her pep and cheer, finding joy in every moment and sharing it with those around her.
Dolly was a homemaker raising her five children. She was a charismatic leader in her tennis club, her church and anything else she joined, always striving to bring out the best in herself and others. Her mean backhand was legendary on the tennis court, and she was a force to be reckoned with on the water, whether swimming, boating or waterskiing. She also sang beautifully in the church choir and, together with her late husband, Bill, delighted audiences in churches, restaurants and golf courses with their sweet harmonies. Her talent with a needle and thread was well known, and she sewed lovely clothes for her children. But her talents didn’t end there; she also held an associate degree in nursing and worked as an LPN.
Dolly’s love for the Lord was deep and unwavering. She lived her faith and taught her children to know His love and to call upon Him in any situation. She served her community as a volunteer, working in a thrift shop in Palm Springs, California, for her church and leading the choir. She wintered in Palm Springs for at least 15 years, spreading her warmth and light wherever she went.
Compassionate as she was, Dolly’s deep love for her family was paramount. She leaves behind her children, Suzi Gruber, Tammy Cook, Nancy Ferrin and John Siegfried. She was preceded in death by her father, Charles Engel; mother, Blanche Engel; husband, William Siegfried; and son, William Siegfried.
