Meet The Sieracki Family
New phases in Life, Love, and a Herd of Surprises!
The Stroll Squad arrived at the Sieracki farm on a gorgeous August evening and was instantly greeted by this energetic, fun-loving family. With all four adult kids briefly back in town, we had only a small window to make this shoot happen; the timing couldn’t have been more perfect! Their charming family farm, complete with cows, set the stage for a unique multigenerational photo session. With such a large group, there was plenty of activity, and watching the family try to wrangle the dogs for photos was both endearing and hilarious from behind the lens. Grandma Coors, of course, was a natural, always ready for the camera! Thanks to the talented Lexi Fogel, even the “chaotic” shots turned out beautifully. We had such a great time with this close-knit clan, and we’re excited to share their story with you.
When Melissa and Scott Sieracki first met at the Houston airport, neither expected it to turn into a love story. “Our flight back to Dallas had been canceled due to bad weather, and we ended up standing in line together,” Melissa recalls. “We decided to drive back, and although there was a spark, we didn’t start dating for months.” That chance encounter eventually led to a partnership built on friendship and teamwork. “We are best friends and great partners in life,” she says.
The Sierackis married in 2001 and built a family full of personality and accomplishment. Their oldest, Sebastian, 34, is a Rockford High School graduate, retired U.S. Marine, and now lives in downtown Grand Rapids with his wife, Cassandra. Seton, 31, also a Rockford grad, studied at Northern Michigan University. Sterling, 21, graduated from Spring Lake High School and is now a senior at the University of Utah, while Stafford, 18, and a spitting image of Melissa, just began her freshman year at the University of Indiana. “All of our children have a great zest for life and dedication to excellence,” Melissa says with pride. “They are each their own person, but they share an unshakable bond as siblings.”
Family life in Spring Lake also includes Melissa’s mother, affectionately known as Grandma Coors. “Sterling and Stafford gave her that name because she always had a Coors in hand,” Melissa laughs. Pets round out the household with Buster the CavaSu, Boomer the Goldendoodle, Bex the ‘Covid Dog,’ Lilo the cat, and three head of Hereford cattle, including matriarch Clara.
The story of how the Sierackis became the largest cattle ranchers in Spring Lake is an interesting one. The property was originally a horse farm, complete with a 2.5-acre fenced-in pasture that needed to be maintained. Melissa and Scott wanted to identify a more efficient, environmentally friendly means to do this. So when they made a trip out to the Kentucky Derby, Scott made an unbeknownst pit stop somewhere off of I-196, where Melissa was introduced to a 1200lb Hereford cow, Clara.
“That birthday present was a complete surprise,” Melissa admits. “Scott told me the pasture wouldn’t mow itself… and next thing I knew, he came home with a cow!" They brought her home and she calved a month later. Since then, the Sierackis have had a dozen calves, traded cattle with a neighbor, and added a registered bull to the herd. "We may not be the largest farm on the Lakeshore, but my husband still thinks he's John Dutton from Yellowstone, nonetheless!" laughs Melissa.
Career-wise, Melissa serves as a Senior Account Executive for Alteryx, while Scott is CEO and Cofounder of Davista.ai, a company harnessing artificial intelligence to reduce crime and save lives. Both remain deeply connected to their community. “Faith has always been an anchor for us,” Melissa shares. “We’re parishioners at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, and over the years, I’ve loved being involved in school programs and youth sports.” Scott devotes time to conservation and safety initiatives through Safari Club International and the Active Shooter Prevention Project. #NEVERHERE
As new empty-nesters, Scott and Melissa are embracing life’s next chapter. “We’re finding new ways to relax together through golf, travel, and spending more time with friends,” Melissa says. A catamaran trip is on the horizon to celebrate Scott’s 60th birthday and the couple’s 25th wedding anniversary. They’re also traveling frequently to visit Sterling in Utah and Stafford in Indiana, while cherishing more local time with their older sons and daughter-in-law.
Reflecting on their move from Rockford to Spring Lake eight years ago, Melissa notes, “Our summers had always been spent on our boat at Keenan Marina, and friends convinced us it was the perfect place to raise Sterling and Stafford. We fell in love with the Spring Lake vibe, the friendships, and the easy access to the water.”
It’s been a life of love, laughter, faith, and of course, the occasional cow!