Betty Tietjen

Published 3:50 pm Thursday, April 17, 2025

July 16, 1943 – April 13, 2025

Betty Bryce Tietjen, 81, died peacefully Sunday evening, April 13, 2025.

Her life began July 16, 1943 in Birmingham, Alabama, born to Henry and Pauline Bockelman. She married Leroy Henry Tietjen July 31, 1965 in Kansas City, Missouri. After fifty-two years of marriage, he preceded her in death in 2018.

Betty loved being a wife for 52 years. As those years passed, the memories of people and the five states lived in were shared. What a blessing to become a mom of two. During Jennifer and Matthew’s elementary years, being family 24/7 was unique. Becoming a grandma was special, especially sharing the classroom with Rhylee for three years. Betty was able to share Jesus’ love with little people for twenty-seven years as a Lutheran teacher and served as a Commissioned Minister in schools of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod.

Betty will be greatly missed by family and friends. She is survived by one daughter, Jennifer Tietjen of Miller, Indiana; one son, Matthew Tietjen of Cassopolis; one granddaughter, Rhylee Beshears of Hobart, Indiana; one sister, Brenda Justice of Raytown, Missouri; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her brother, Byron Bockelman and son-in-law, Matthew Smith.

Family and friends will gather on Thursday, April 17, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. in St. Paul Lutheran Church, 305 West State Street, Cassopolis, Michigan 49031.

Betty will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband in Crane Cemetery in Volinia Township.

The family prefers contributions in memory of Betty be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church or Open Arms Child Development Center, 305 West State Street, Cassopolis, Michigan 49031.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Wagner Family Funerals Connelly Chapel, Cassopolis. Please share a memory or a message online: wagnercares.com.