Steve Tietjens

The perfect kind of day for Steve Tietjens included being with family, hunting, fishing, bee keeping and at the end of the day enjoying a few beers with friends. At the age of 80, Steve passed away Friday, August 4, 2023, in his favorite spot, at home on Sabula Lake.

Steve was born August 25, 1942 in Clinton, Iowa, the son of Gilbert and Mae Marie Tietjens. He grew up on a farm near Almont, then when he was in his teens his family moved to Teeds Grove. Steve attended country school near Almont, then graduated from Miles High School in 1960. During high school he began dating the love of his life, Darlene Fuglsang. On September 17, 1961, they were married at the Andover Lutheran Church. They raised one son, Todd, and celebrated 61 years of marriage. Steve loved dancing with Darlene, especially to Island City Surprise. Most of all, they both enjoyed spending time with their grandchildren.

Steve worked for Ralston Purina in Clinton for over 30 years. He enjoyed the friendships that came from work. He was a true outdoorsman, Steve raised Blue Tick Coon Hounds and loved hunting with them. He also kept beehives (up to 500 at a time), and he spent many days commercial fishing on the Mississippi River. He took pride passing down lessons by teaching his family and friends how to fish, hunt, make homemade wine, and just about anything outdoors. He was an avid reader and enjoyed telling stories to his grandchildren and they got a kick out of listening to them.

Steve will be dearly missed by his wife, Darlene of Sabula; his son, Todd (Shonna) Tietjens of Sabula; three grandchildren, Hunter, Eli and Emma; a brother, Tom (Ronda) Tietjens of Teeds Grove; two sisters, Lois (Richard) Fedderson of Andover and Marcia (Gene) Camp of Preston; and a sister-in-law, Mary Tietjens of Florida. He is preceded in death by a brother, Louis Tietjens, in 2019, and both parents.

A Celebration of Life Gathering will be held 4 – 6pm Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at the Law Jones Funeral Home in Savanna with a Time of Sharing at 6pm.