[1] A native of Grand Rapids, Sietsema was a veteran of World War II serving in the European Theater.

He attended Radio Electronics Television School, and married Betty Jean Eastman in 1948.

While in the House, Sietsema sponsored legislation requiring curbs to be cut to accommodate wheelchairs.

Along with 14 colleagues, he drew the ire of his caucus in the early 1980s over cutting workers' compensation rates.

[3] After leaving the House, Sietsema won election to the Kent County Board of Commissioners where he served four terms.