- Date Of Birth: December 20, 1928
- Date Of Death: February 7, 2017
- State: Nebraska
He died peacefully, surrounded by family on Tuesday, February 7, 2017 at St. Joseph’s Rehabilitation and Care Center in Norfolk.
Richard James was born on December 20, 1928, in Pierce County to Everette and Ida (Groninger) Tiedgen. He graduated from Battle Creek High School in 1946.
Dick enlisted in the United States Army National Guard in 1948. He served as a Light Weapons Infantry Leader and received an Honorable Discharge in 1957, as a Master Sergeant.
On March 16, 1952, he was united in marriage to JoAnn Niewohner at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Norfolk. To this union, four children were born: Gary, Nancy, Thomas and Vicky.
Dick farmed in Enola, Battle Creek and Norfolk. He started work with Vulcraft in Norfolk in 1963 just two weeks after the plant opened. In 1976, he accepted a position as District Manager for Vulcraft in Denver, then he returned to Norfolk in 1978 and retired in 1987.
Dick enjoyed playing softball, pitching for various teams. He also spent time bowling, golfing, playing cards and camping. Dick and JoAnn spent 19 years of retirement wintering in Sun City, Arizona, where a favorite pastime was lawn bowling. He served on various boards and positions at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and also on the Lutheran Hospital Board.
Loved ones he left behind include his spouse of 64 years, JoAnn Tiedgen of Norfolk, son Gary Tiedgen of Norfolk, daughter Nancy Wagner and spouse Mark of Burke, Virginia, son Thomas Tiedgen and spouse Denise of Lincoln and daughter Vicky of Lincoln, 10 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, brother-in-law Layne Flanagan and many nieces and nephews.
Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Everette and Ida Tiedgen and sister Boneta (Tiedgen) Flanagan.
