Denise N. Bottjen

Denise N. Bottjen, 55 of Sioux City passed away Saturday, October 14, 2023. Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M. Friday, October 20, 2023 at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Burial will be at Graceland Park Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday, October 19, 2023 from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. with a prayer service at 7:00 P.M. at the funeral home.

On the afternoon of Saturday, October 14, 2023, Denise “Deanie” N. (Seibold) Bottjen, 55, of Sioux City, left this earth to join her loved ones in heaven. Those of us left behind to cherish her memory have lost a truly bright light. Loving, giving, selfless, organized, problem-solver and bossy are all words that have been used to describe her. Like her mother, her personality and spirit were larger-than-life and impossible to replicate. 

Denise was born the daughter of David and Sandra “Sandy” (Burns) Seibold, Sr. on July 18, 1968, in Sioux City, Iowa. Denise, the eldest of five, came into this world stubbornly breach, followed slowly by her twin brother, Dave. Anna Marie, and twins Steven and Stuart rounded out the bunch. 

Denise graduated with the East High class of 1986. It was during her years at East that she discovered her love of the theater, which she would again enjoy in her later years. Following graduation, Denise attended Briar Cliff College, ultimately completing an associate’s degree at WITCC. 

Denise married Kevin Bottjen on May 11, 1991, at Rustin Avenue United Methodist Church. Following 2-years in Fulda, Germany, the couple returned home where they welcomed Daxton Burns in 2000 and Briar Peter in 2003. Her boys were the most important thing in the world to her. Where they went, she followed. She was an involved and active participant in all of their endeavors. 

Denise held many long-term jobs in public service fields. The 14 years she spent at Sunnyside Elementary, as a librarian’s assistant, brought her joy, pride and contentment.  During these years, she brought the love of reading and the feeling of belonging to many children. Most recently, she enjoyed the challenge of new learning, while serving as the office manager at Certified Auto. 

Denise had a servant heart. Following her mother’s example, Denise always put others first. Often overextending herself with projects because she did not know how to say “no”. She served in many roles at her beloved Rustin Avenue. She was also involved in military support groups and causes for the homeless. In recent years, she spent many hours/days gathering props, working on sets and designing windows for productions at the Sioux City Community Theater. This time was especially enjoyable for Denise, because it allowed her to spend time with her youngest son, Briar. 

Music was a gift Denise loved to share. She had a lovely voice and enjoyed collaborating with her dad, Dave, on many beautiful hymns. She had a sweet habit of humming, softly, while completing mundane tasks. She also enjoyed “busting a move” to livelier music, which sometimes looked more like busting a butt, arm or a leg. She was the life of many girls’ trips, even initiating the “crashing” of a wedding on one memorable weekend. 

In lieu of flowers, you may wish to consider memorials to the Sioux City Community Theater or the Siouxland Soup Kitchen, in her memory. 

Mourning her loss are her husband, Kevin Bottjen; sons, Daxton and Briar Bottjen; siblings, David Seibold, Jr., Anna (Scott) Seibold, Stuart (Heather) Seibold, and Steven Seibold; and several nieces, great-nieces, nephews and cousins. 

Her parents and a sister-in-law, Teresa (Bay) Seibold, preceded Denise in death. Also gone before her were her godparents, Arlo and Bertha; her Aunt, Ilene, whom she considered a second mother; as well as many other aunts, uncles and cousins.