LeRoy R. Tietz, age 81, passed away on Monday May 20th, 2024, 68 years to the date of the confirmation of his faith in his Savior.
LeRoy Ruben Tietz was born on June 12th, 1942, in the farm house of his ancestral land on Dewey Road in the town of Lebanon, to Ruben and Valeska (nee Jaeger) Tietz. On June 21st, 1942, he was born again into his faith with his baptism at Cross Lutheran Church in Ixonia, where he was a member for most of his life. He confirmed his baptismal faith on May 20th, 1956.
He attended a one room schoolhouse in Lebanon for 8 years where he first learned to speak English as German was the language spoke at home. He went on to Watertown High School where he graduated in 1960. He enjoyed working on the farm with his dad Ruben and his Uncle Harley’s farm, working with his dad’s team of horses, Silver and Queen. He also enjoyed raccoon hunting and fishing with his father, brother and uncles as well. In his later years, he and his brother formed softball teams with their childhood neighbors and friends, enjoying many years of success.
During high school, LeRoy enlisted in the Army National Guard where he dutifully served from 1960 to 1962. He was always proud to be a member of Wisconsin’s Famous 32nd Infantry “Red Arrow” Division, where he was awarded numerous marksman awards.
He met the love of his life at a polka dance at Turner Hall and married Karen (nee Kohls) on May 15, 1965. That probably was a major reason he was quite a good dancer and loved to dance polkas, waltzes and fox trots with his wife and later his daughter Rhonda.
In 1965, LeRoy and Karen, along with his father, purchased the farm on Highway CW that would be his pride and joy ever since, taking a somewhat run down farm and converting it with hard work, love and the assistance of his family into the beautiful farmstead it is today. LeRoy and Karen were blessed with three children. He instilled in his children faith in Jesus, love and loyalty to family and the joy of hard work. He loved vacationing with his family and joined AAA in order to better plan out the frequent road trips he would take his family on. He probably loved planning out the journey more than the journey itself.
In the late 1970’s, LeRoy and his brother Warren purchased their ancestral farm from their uncle Harley Jaeger. LeRoy was passionate about this property and built a home for his oldest son Randy on the property in 1995.
LeRoy started working as a carpenter at the age of fifteen with his father. Along with his father, uncle Harley and his brother Warren, he built over 46 homes in the surrounding area (including a home for both of his sons) as well as numerous barns, sheds, commercial buildings, a hotel and even a restaurant. Like his father before him, he was a passionate craftsman and fearless when it came to crawling around on barns and other tall structures. He worked as carpenter for over 55 years, finally retiring (mostly) at the age of 71.
LeRoy had an even longer career as a farmer. This was his lifelong vocation. Anyone who knew him, knew he loved green tractors. He bought his first of many John Deere tractors in 1967 (John Deere 1020), a tractor that his sons and grandsons still use in the operation today. LeRoy farmed first with his father and then many years with his brother. In 2005, his sons bought into the operation that is now known as Tietz Family Farms, LLC, famous for its homegrown popcorn, seasonal produce and meats. He played a large role in the initial development of the popcorn business, a product which the family markets in nearly 100 retail outlets, all 50 states and several different countries. Until his last days, he told his nurses and anyone who would listen all about his farm business and made sure his sons, daughter-in-law Tammy and grandchildren were “doing things right”.
LeRoy was extremely active in the community in various organizations and usually ended up in a leadership position. A lifelong musician, who instilled the love of music into his children and grandchildren, he was a member of the Lebanon Band for over 60 years, where he held numerous leadership positions including trustee and President for many years. He also was made an honorary member in his later years.
LeRoy was on the Town Board of Lebanon as a supervisor for 29 years. He also was a member of the Lebanon Fire Department for over 40 years where he was an active firefighter in his younger years. He was a volunteer leader for the swine project for the Lebanon Luckies for over 40 years and served on the board of directors of Universal Cooperative in Lebanon for many years.
A man with high energy and passions, he was gone most nights of the week for some kind of meeting. Despite being diagnosed with Parkinsons disease nearly 20 years ago, he did not let that slow him down. Despite all of his activities and two full-time jobs, his main priority was worshiping his Lord. He belonged to Cross Lutheran Church in Ixonia for about 75 years where he held numerous leadership positions including Treasurer as well as President for many years. He missed very few Sundays and was committed to his church and faith. In 2017, he and his wife Karen joined Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lebanon and are grateful to all at the church for how they have been welcomed into the family. In the last few months, he started a tradition with all who visited him (in particular his family), of holding hands and reciting the Lord’s Prayer together.
LeRoy is survived by his wife Karen, daughter Rhonda (Bruce) Boyd, sons Randy (Tammy) Tietz and Russell Tietz, all of Watertown, grandchildren Christian Tietz, Jacob Tietz, Angela Tietz and Brandon Boyd, all of Watertown. He is further survived by his brother Warren (Sandy) Tietz, in-laws Jeanne Fregin, Nancy (Dick) Leech, Allan (Shirley) Kohls.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ruben and Valeska Tietz, in-laws Alfred and Mildred Kohls, brothers-in-law Harvey Kohls, Harold Winter, and Bill Fregin, sisters-in-law Joyce Kohls, Sharleen Winter, niece Sheri Kaul, as well as other close friends and relatives.
A funeral service will be held on Sunday, May 26, 2024, at 2pm at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lebanon with Rev. Daniel Repp officiating. Family and friends may gather on Saturday, May 25, 2024, at Hafemeister Funeral Home from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. and at church on Sunday from 12 p.m. until the time of the service. Burial will take place at Pilgrim’s Rest Cemetery. Hafemeister Funeral Home and Cremation Service is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at www.hafemeisterfh.com.
Memorials may be made out to Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lebanon.
