Morris Tietjen

Morris Tietjen, 93, of Wilmot, SD, passed away on August 17, 2025, in Fridley, MN.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ortonville. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at Mound Cemetery, Ortonville.

Lovingly written by Morris and his family:

Morris, the son of John and Margaret (Hippen) Tietjen, was born April 23, 1932, in Wilmot, South Dakota. He was received into God’s kingdom of grace through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism on May 29, 1932, at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Corona, South Dakota, with the Revered F.W. Huesner officiating. He was confirmed in his faith on May 4, 1947, at Trinity Church in Corona by Pastor L.K. Meyer.

Morris graduated from 8th grade in Garfield #3 Roberts Co., South Dakota and attended high school in Corona and Wilmot, South Dakota, graduating from Wilmot in 1951. He went on to complete his education by starting a Master’s Degree program at Northern State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota. He then continued at the University of North Dakota and completed it at the University of South Dakota in Brookings, South Dakota. Morris served as an educator for 34 years. He began his career as a teacher at Garfield #3 and Springdale rural schools; Beardsley, Minnesota elementary; and James Knoll Elementary School in Ortonville, Minnesota where he taught for two years. He served as the elementary principal at James Knoll Elementary for 28 years until his retirement in 1991.

Morris served his country for three years during the Korean War from 1954 to 1957. He was a member of both the South Dakota National Guard and the American Legion Post in Big Stone City, South Dakota.

Morris was an avid fisherman, spending much of his time fishing on Big Stone Lake. He liked gardening, yard work, and traveling.

Morris, a Wilmot, South Dakota native, moved to Ortonville in 1960. Trinity Lutheran became his church home and remained so until his death. At Trinity, he served in many positions including Sunday School teacher, confirmation instructor, and on various boards as congregational president, secretary, treasurer, and the board of elders.

On August 1, 1964, Morris was united in marriage to Glenora Schlicht (Steen). This union was blessed by one son, David, a daughter, Mary, and two adopted sons, Randall and Thomas.

Morris was called from this earth to his Heavenly Home on August 17, 2025, at the age of 93 years. He was preceded in death by his parents; his son David; his wife, Glenora; and his brother, Robert. His surviving family includes his son Tom (Aileen) Tietjen of Chanhassen, Minnesota; son Randy (Susan) Tietjen of Edina, Minnesota; daughter Mary (Jay) Tietjen of Eden Prairie, Minnesota; grandchildren Eric, Sara, Benjamin, Sophia, Clara, and Annalisa; one great-granddaughter, Gwendolyn; and five sisters (Janice Pond, Margaret Moratis, Linda Tietjen, Dianne Tietjen, and Audrey Berry).

His physical body will be laid to rest at Mound Cemetery in Ortonville. May the blessed hope of the resurrection of the body to eternal life by made certain by the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To God alone belongs all the glory! Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy. God have mercy.