Federico "Fred" Sifuentes Sr., 89, Sidney, MT

Fred Sifuentes Sr., 89 peacefully passed away on Sunday Aug. 4, 2024, at his home in Sidney, MT, with family by his side.

Mass of the Christian Burial will be Thursday Aug. 15, 2024, at 10 a.m. at St Matthew's Catholic Church, Sidney, MT, with Father Jim O'Neil officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday Aug. 14, 2024, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Fulkerson Stevenson Memorial Chapel, Sidney, MT. Fred will be laid to rest in the Sidney Cemetery, Sidney, MT. Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home, Sidney, MT, is assisting the family. Remembrances, condolences, and pictures may be shared with the family at http://www.fulkersons.com.

Federico "Fred" or "Lico" Antonio Sifuentes, 89, was reunited with his father, mother, brothers, and daughter on Aug. 4, 2024. He was at home surrounded by his family under the End-of-Life Care in Sidney, MT.

Fred was born on May 10, 1935, in Eagle Pass, TX, to Emilio and Dolores (Cortinez) Sifuentes. He attended school in Eagle Pass until the 3rd grade. He didn't like school so he began working as a farmer and would come to Sidney with his parents as seasonal "beet laborers", hoeing and tending to sugar beets. One summer while working in Sidney he saw Lola, who would turn out to be his partner for life, and it was love at first sight. He loved telling the story of how he said "que bonitas nalgas" then told his mom "I'm going to marry her".

In 1955, Fred united with Lola vowing to spend the rest of their life together. In 1958, Fred, Lola, and the kids packed up and headed to Los Angeles, CA, where he worked building up the runway for LAX with his uncle Louis. Fred and Lola lived in California for only a short time as they did not care for the city life so they packed up their family once again and headed back to Sidney. Once they returned to Sidney, Fred continued to work for the Propp farm where they raised their children. In 1970, Fred and Lola moved their family off the farm and into town. They lived in a small house in town for a short time. In approximately 1971, Fred went to work for Holly Sugar and in 1973 they were able to buy their first home where he would remain for the entirety of his life.

Fred and Lola were always busy working and helping take care of their grandchildren. Fred and Lola had their grandchildren running in and out of their home for many, many years. Fred worked as a watchman for Holly Sugar for 25 years but after some health issues he was advised to retire earlier than expected. After retirement, Fred often welcomed company, often joking about how he was on days off for these days then he was on vacation for the others, to make light of the situation of not being able to work since that is what he did since he was a child. Fred welcomed company in his home where he loved to visit, listen to music, tell stories, and drink a "cold one". Fred's children Tony, Freddie, Gloria, and Olivia remained at the factory, and he would often talk "shop" with them so that he could keep his ties. Fred was a generous man and a great provider for his family. He and Lola had many friends.

Fred is survived by his wife of 69 years, Dolores "Lola" Sifuentes; children Yolanda Hibbard, Spokane, WA; Pastors Tony (Martha) Sifuentes, Glen Ullin, ND; Mary (Ed) France, Manchester, NJ; Fred (DeeAnn) Sifuentes, Sidney, MT; and Olivia Sifuentes, Sidney, MT; his step-children Stella Gallegos, Isabel Chavez, Humberto (Juanita) Ramos, and Rosario DelBosque all of San Antonio, TX; 19 grandchildren; 41 (with one on the way) great grandchildren; several great-great grandchildren; numerous step-grandchildren, step-great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Fred is preceded in death by his father Emilio Sifuentes; his mother Dolores Sifuentes; his brothers Rudy, Emilio, Edward, and Albert Sifuentes; daughter Gloria Sifuentes Zadow; and infant son.