Darlene J. Tietz

Darlene Joy Lyda Tietz

Born July 4, 1928 at Bridger, Montana

Parents: Clyde D. and Olive (Brottem) Lyda

When Darlene was two years old her parents were in Billings to see the movie star, William Hart.

Darlene's Dad was holding her when Mr. Hart walked over and handed her a silver dollar, telling her he was giving her this dollar to always keep her sweet smile.

Darlene attended a one-room elementary school the first eight years of schooling. It was a law in Montana at that time that anyone attending a one-room school must pass a Sate examination before entering high school. Darlene took this examination and passed with the highest grade in Carbon County. She received a letter from the County Superintendent of Schools urging her to continue her education. Darlene was proud of this letter and it still exists.

She could tell stories about World War II and how it affected her family. She kept her last ration book as a souvenir of those years. The young men where off to the War so the girls, women and younger boys as well as olden men would work in the fields hoeing the weeds from the beans and sugar beets, often working 10-12 hours a day. Darlene was very glad when her Father could get German prisoners of war to work in the fields. This made it easier for the entire family as Army canteen trucks delivered a hot noon meal and refreshment breaks to the prisoners. The prisoners were permitted to work only eight hours a day.

She went to work at the Veterans Administration Regional Office near Helena, MT, as a stenographer. She soon was promoted to supervisor of the typist pool and then to Administrative Assistant to the Director Research and Development. She kept a copy of her Civil Service rating.

Darlene married Warren Edward Tietz on July 12, 1947, in the First Methodist Church in Billings, Montana. They lived in Fromberg MT for a short time where Darlene worked at the Clarks Fork Valley Bank. They then moved to Lovell WY when Warren went to work for the Ohio Oil Company, now known as Marathon Oil Company.

Darlene was the proud Mother of Cheryl and Linda. She was involved in their school activities. For many years being involved in teaching Sunday School and the Parent Teacher Organization.

Darlene was initiated into Alice Chapter No. 51, Order of the Eastern Star September 26, 1947, at Fromberg MT along with her husband Warren and his brother Lawrence and his wife Margaret. She served as an officer in Alice Chapter and also at Radiant Chapter No. 34 in Lovell WY.

In 1956 Warren was transferred to the Ohio Oil Company Research Center at Littleton CO. Darlene continued her schooling and became a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator, passing the examination in the first class of Nursing Home Administrators to be licensed in Colorado. She worked in long term care for more than 20 years. She received the Vesta Bowden Award in 1979, which is the highest honor given by the Colorado Health Care Association.

Darlene thoroughly enjoyed participating in fraternal organizations. She was a Past Matron of Manzanita Chapter No. 85 in Littleton CO and served as Grand Esther of the Grand Chapter of Colorado in 2000-2001 with the "In Tune With the Times" Grand Family.

She was a Past President of Denver Assembly No.1, Social Order of the Beauceant, and served as Supreme Assistant Marshal of Supreme Assembly in 2003-2004 term.

She was a member of El Mejdel Temple No.47, Daughters of the Nile.

She was a member of Mount Rosa Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution.

Above all, Darlene loved her family. She enjoyed an emotional high whenever she had spent time with family, whether it was children, grandchildren or great-grandchildren or siblings.

Darlene and Warren used to travel a lot before Warren's health curtailed this pleasure. They belonged to several camping clubs and especially enjoyed going to Branson MO and Nashville TN for Country Music programs. She had autographs of more than 100 country music entertainers. They took several cruises; two of which were very special to her. The paddlewheel boat trip up the Columbia River and the trip through the Panama Canal.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents and 4 brothers. She is survived by her sister Cherie Bauwens of Billings MT and her daughter Linda (Gary) Ritchlin of Jacksonville FL; 3 grandchildren: Clarke Ritchlin, Aurora CO; Carey (Dave) Artzer, Jacksonville FL and Justin (Hewitt) Cochran, Warminster, PA; 5 great grandchildren: Kayla (Tad) Seymour, Jacksonville FL; Cameron Ritchlin, Knoxville TN; Tyler (Sarah) Artzer, Jacksonville FL; Shelby Ritchlin, Nashville TN and Alexandra Artzer, Jacksonville FL. she also is survived by 2 great-great grandchildren, Marshall & Olivia Seymour.

In lieu of flowers the family request donations made to The American Cancer Society or The Scottish Rites Foundation 1370 Grant Street #300 Denver Colorado 80203