Tiesen, Frank F. (1872-1957)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1957 May 2 p. 8, 10

Birth date: 1872 Nov 14

text of obituary:

FRANK F. TIESEN

Frank F. Tiesen, son of Frank and Kathrina (Weiss) Tiesen [sic Tieszen], was born Nov. 14,1872, in Molotshna, Russia. On July 9, 1874, when he was two years old, his parents migrated to America, to what is now Childstown Township in turner County S.D. Here he experienced the hardships of pioneer life and received a limited education, which was typical of these times.

He was baptized by Rev. Christian Kaufmann in the Salem Church, which is now the Salem-Zion Church. In 1891 when the new Salem Church was built he followed his minister to the new church and remained a member in the Salem Church until his death.

On June 16, 1893, he was united in Holy matrimony with Franie [sic Frenie] Graber by Rev. Christian Kaufmann. They settled on the homestead two miles west of the Salem Church. There they raised their family of eight children, who are all living. They farmed this place until 1928 when they moved to Freeman, S. D. He resided in Marion until his wife Franie [sic Frenie] passed on to her Redeemer on Jan. 3, 1954, at the age of 80 years, six months and four days.

Frank then stayed alone in his home until October 1954 when he went to Hawthorne, Calif. where his oldest daughter Nettie and his youngest son Herbert reside. He stayed at his son Herbert's home until February 1955, when he came back to Marion and again took up his abode alone. On June 1, 1955, he entered the Salem Home for the Aged at Freeman. He enjoyed the home very much, and one could see him almost daily driving his car to visit his children or on errands.

In October 1956 when he began failing in health he was taken to the Sacred Heart Hospital at Yankton, where his illness was diagnosed as cancer of the esophagus. This ailment made swallowing very difficult, so that he had to rely on liquids and vitamins for nourishment.

He stayed at the Salem Home for the Aged under very competent care which he continually praised. On March 22 Dr. Emil F. Tiesen and wife Anna took him to stay with them so that the doctor could take care of his father, because of his recurrent and intermittent pain, which sometimes was severe. He ended his sojourn on this earth with his mind clear and rational.

He passed on to his Redeemer on April 17 at 9:00 a.m. at his son's home. He reached the age of 84 years, six months and three days.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, John and Peter; three sisters, Anna, Katherine and Elizabeth, four half-sisters, Nettie, Mary, Eva and Elizabeth; one half-brother who died in infancy; one grandson Delbert Tiesen and one great-granddaughter, Patty Tiesen.

He leaves to mourn his death one sister, Katherine Dich [sic Dick] of Saskatchawan; eight children, Nettie Graber of Hawthorne, Calif., Henry Tiesen of Dell Rapids, S.D., Dr. Emil F. Tiesen of Freeman, Tena Tieszen of Marion, Elsie Duerksen of Omaha, Neb., Bernard Tiesen of Sioux Falls, Paul Tiesen of Freeman, and Herbert Tiesen of Hawthorne, Calif.; five daughters-in-law, three sons-in-law;16 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.