John Claus Sierks was born on August 10, 1929 in Dunning, Nebraska to Jesse & Mary (Johansen) Sierks.  He was the youngest of 4 children born to this union.  In 1931, John and his family moved to the family farm outside of Brownville.  With the exception of his first few years of marriage and the final months of his life, the farm outside of Brownville was where he spent his entire life.  John graduated from Brownville High School in 1946 and upon graduation, he began his lifelong career of farming.

On December 24, 1948, John was joined in marriage to Dorothy Shiveley.  In their 65 years together, they celebrated the birth of 6 children, 13 grandchildren, and 16 greatgrandchildren with more on the way.  John was a family man at heart and enjoyed nothing more than watching Husker Football, a game of scrabble, a good wrestle, or him being the bull for his grandchildren to ride.  He was the true patriarch of the Sierks Family and instilled upon his family his beliefs of hard work and doing the right thing even when it is hard.  John was a member of the Masonic Lodge starting in April 1951.  In 1969 he became the Deputy Grand Custodian for Southeast Nebraska.  His work in the Masonic Lodge was very important to him.  John was also a member of Eastern Star, Gideons, and the Brownville United Methodist Church. After suffering from dementia, surrounded by loving family, he went to be with the Lord on Monday, December 2, 2019.

John was preceded in death by his parents, sisters: Ruby (Ralph) Spellbrink, Ruth (Lloyd) Erickson, and Edna Marie Sierks and his loving wife Dorothy who he lost 6 years prior to his passing.

Those left to deeply mourn his passing are his children: Lonnie (Wanda) Sierks, Myrna (Stan) Brooks, Michele (Bill) Hawkins, Dave (Bonnie) Sierks, Chuck (Kayla) Sierks and Melissa (Russ) Fisher, grandchildren: Tammy (Kip) Young, Waylon Ross, Josh Sierks, Amanda (Aaron) Drier, Joe (Sheena) Sierks, Terri (Mike) Beneway, Jesse (Julie) Sierks, Amy Sierks, Jill (Joc) Olsen, Lisa (Ben) Laun, Dustin Ross, Kari (Zach) Murphy, Chloe Sierks, and Ryan Conn, 16 great grandchildren, numerous step grandchildren, numerous step great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and many friends.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 7, 2019, at The Hall Funeral Chapel, 707 15th Street in Auburn with Pastor Bob Heusman officiating.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m.- 8 p.m. on Friday, December 6, 2019, at The Hall Funeral Chapel in Auburn.  Family will greet friends from 6-8 p.m. and a Masonic Service will be held at 7 p.m.

Interment will be at the Walnut Grove Cemetery in Brownville.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Brownville United Methodist Church or the Masonic-Eastern Star Home for Children.

Condolences can be shared online at www.hallfuneral.net