Obituary: Dolores Helen Branch

Dolores Helen Branch, age 86, of Jefferson City, Mo. passed away peacefully Thursday, March 6, 2025, at home surrounded by family.

She was born on November 20, 1938, in Jefferson City, the daughter of Steve Siebeneck and Bertha Alvina Elsie Mueller. She was married to Bobbie Lee Bernard and from this marriage came their four children. Dolores was then united in marriage on October 23, 1977, in Raytown to Norman Eugene Branch, who preceded her in death on November 1, 2003.

Dolores’s faith was the foundation of her life, and she was a lifelong member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, where she was baptized on December 11, 1938. Her unwavering commitment to her faith shaped the way she lived — always with kindness, compassion, and a servant’s heart. Dolores’s strong and quiet faith made her a guiding light in her family, where she led not just with words, but by example. Dolores worked a variety of jobs after her children were in school including retail, the gravel plant in Osage Bend, waitressing and then retiring from Westinghouse/ABB after 22 years of dedicated service.

Dolores had a deep love for the simple joys in life, especially those that brought her closer to nature and her family including reading, gardening, fishing, mushroom hunting, birdwatching and crocheting. She loved her wildflowers and flower beds but mostly she loved spending time with her family.

She is survived by: four children, Bobbi Nichols of Jefferson City, Sandra Bernard of Mokane, Raymond Bernard (Laura) of Ashland, and Deanna Sipi (Mike) of Jefferson City; siblings, Ray Siebeneck (Billie), Darlene Meister, and John Siebeneck (Jane), grandchildren, Jeremy Basinger (Regan), Braden Parker, Braxton O’Bryan, Shawn Sipi (Danielle), Sondra Sipi, Amanda Bryan (Jerrod), and Brooke Buck (Dalton); great-grandchildren Cole Basinger, Jett Basinger, Arriah Edwards, Destiny Quick, Michalee Messerli (Spencer), Mason Sipi, Jayden Sipi (Grace), Macklin Buck, Milo Buck, Genevieve Bryan, and Kaiden Parker; and great-great grandchildren, Colt Quick and Nellie Messerli.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Norman; parents, Bertha and Steve Siebeneck; grandson, Ryan Edwards; brothers, Clifford Siebeneck (Loretta), Marvin Siebeneck, and Stephen Siebeneck (Donna); and brother-in-law, Mike Meister.

Visitation will be held at Freeman Mortuary from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. Sunday, March 16, 2025. An additional visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Monday, March 17, 2025, at Immanuel Lutheran Church before her service.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m., Monday, March 17, 2025, at Immanuel Lutheran Church with the Reverend Steve Resner officiating. Graveside services and interment will follow at Immanuel Lutheran Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Immanuel Lutheran Church or Immanuel Lutheran School, 8231 Tanner Bridge Road, Jefferson City, Mo. 65101.

Funeral arrangements are under the care of Freeman Mortuary.