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Submitted: 8/11/23 • Approved: 8/18/23 • Last Updated: 8/21/23 • R275314-G0-S3
section 7 wildwood chapel/musoluem LOT 204
Gary David Siska
August 29, 1953 - June 16, 2023
Gary Siska, 69, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on June 16, 2023, at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m., Thursday, June 22, 2023, at the Church of St. Mary in Sioux Falls. Visitation will be from 5:30 until 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 21, 2023 also at the church. A Liturgical Wake Service will follow the visitation. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family for future designation to the O’Gorman Catholic Schools Art Department.
Mail gifts to the Bishop O'Gorman Catholic School Foundation, 3100 W. 41st Street, Sioux Falls, SD 57105 or call 605-575-3343
Gary David Siska, son of Henry and Ida (Bauer) Siska was born August 29, 1953, in Buffalo, New York. He graduated from high school in Lancaster, New York with the class of 1971. He continued his education at Buffalo State where he earned his Bachelor Degree in Art Education. While at Buffalo State he was on the schools swimming and diving team. He was united in marriage to Carol Ann Crick and to this union he was blessed with his children, Dawn and Paul.
Gary dedicated 40 years of his talents to molding and shaping countless art students at O’Gorman Catholic School before his retirement in 2019. During that time, he taught pottery, photography, drawing, painting, and drafting. In addition to his teaching, he also taught drivers education for 18 of those years. As a teacher, Gary had a special gift for seeing the potential for growth and creativity in each student. He put his artistic talents to use in many capacities, including the Sidewalk Arts Festival, Empty Bowls Ministry, showing his artwork at the Washington Pavilion, and giving art lessons to his grandchildren. In 2006, Gary was selected for a Mayor’s Award for the Arts and this September he will be inducted into the O’Gorman Arts Hall of Fame.
Gary was known for the thoughtful ways that he prioritized the people in his life, including his soulmate, Carol Buchheit whom he met in 2012. He and Carol enjoyed taking trips, cooking together, and celebrating monthly anniversaries. Gary always made time for making cherished memories with his children and cheering on his grandchildren in their extracurricular activities. Time with friends was often spent pulling pranks or sharing a laugh about past pranks that have been pulled. He was an expert at giving directions, grilling a hot dog to burnt perfection, and driving his speedy red car.
Left to cherish his memory are his children, Dawn (David) Preheim of Tea and Paul Siska of North Pole, AK; soulmate, Carol Buchheit of Spencer, IA; grandchildren, Grace, Bella, and McKael Preheim of Tea; siblings, Henry (Ro) Siska of Alden, NY, Doug Siska of Colorado Springs, CO, Faye (Alan) Aremberg of Oakhan, MA, and Joyce (Ron) Tyminski of Syracuse, NY; and a host of additional friends and family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Ida; and brothers in infancy, Ronald and Donald.
Contributed on 8/11/23 by 9katz
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Record #: 275314