Robert Tietgen

Funeral services for Robert Tietgen were held on Thursday, December 1, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. at the Clausen Funeral Home in Burke, SD, with Pastor Bill Serr officiating. Music was provided by Steve and Lisa Mayer, and Jacinta Tietgen, soloists, accompanied by Jane Tuttle, pianist. Brandy Peck and Janelle Bartling were in charge of registration. Casket bearers were Jake Tietgen, Jesse Johnson, Jeff Johnson, Mike Mourer, Sawyer Tietgen, and Morgan Tietgen. Interment was in the Herrick Cemetery in Herrick, SD. Clausen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Robert William Tietgen was born on April 30, 1930, to Laverna (Glick) and William Tietgen, on their farm 11 miles south of Burke, SD. He attended grade school mostly at Glasser Country School, followed by two years at Herrick High School, and then graduated from Burke High School in 1948.

Robert enlisted in the Navy on June 22, 1948 and attended boot camp and Cooks & Baker School in San Diego, CA. He was stationed on the USS Virgo for five weeks in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. He was then stationed in Guam from February of 1949 until May of 1951. While in Guam, he was a meat cutter at the air station and, for a while, at the supply depot. During the first 35 months that Robert was enlisted, he only had 12 days of leave. Once he returned to San Francisco, he reenlisted in the Navy but transferred to the submarine division. He attended submarine school in New London, CT, and was assigned to serve on the USS Tigrone, a radar picket submarine, in September of 1951.

Robert married Luella Bentz on March 30, 1952, while on leave. The newlyweds moved right away to Norfolk, VA. Robert was sent out to sea with no warning, leaving Luella to wait. The couple then moved to Philadelphia in July of 1952, but in October, his wife Luella decided to move back home to Burke. After being assigned to the USS Runner in January 1953, he made one last transfer to the USS Orion in March of 1953 before leaving the Navy in June of 1953 to return to his wife in Burke. He left the Navy with the rank of Petty Officer 1st Class.

Upon returning to Burke, Robert and Luella started farming south of town and raising their five children: Peter, Richard, Patricia, Michael and Tami. Robert and Luella started the State Liners 4-H Club and served as leaders for 30 years. In 1962, Robert accepted the position of post chaplain of the Herrick Legion and held that position for 54 years. He took his position seriously and took pride in honoring the veterans who had passed.

Robert and Luella moved to Burke in 1989. He continued to farm parttime and also worked part-time at Prewitt’s Grocery and later Pat’s Foodtown in the meat department. He enjoyed planting flowers, growing garden vegetables, baking bread, and spending time with his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

Robert was a member of the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska and was honored as the oldest member of the Ponca Tribe last spring.

He passed away on November 27, 2022, at the Avera Rosebud Country Care Center at the age of 92.

Robert is survived by his children: Peter Tietgen of Herrick, SD, Richard (Linda) Tietgen of Burke, SD, Patricia Mourer of Lennox, SD, Tami (Duane) Johnson of Arlington, SD; daughter-in-law Rochelle Tietgen of Burke, SD; 10 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; two great-greatgrandchildren; in-laws Gary “Butch” (Barbara) Bentz and Joyce (William) Stanley; and several nephews and nieces.