Bruce Tiedemann, 59, of Earlham passed away on Monday, December 26, 2022 at the Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines. Visitation will be held from 6-8 P.M. on Friday, December 30th at the Johnson Family Funeral Home in Earlham. Funeral service will be held at 11 A.M. on Saturday, December 31stat the Johnson Family Funeral Home in Earlham. Private family burial will be held at 1 P.M. on Tuesday, January 3rd at the Lakeview Gardens Cemetery in Okoboji. Memorial contributions may be directed to the family. Online condolences may be left at www.johnsonfamilyfuneralhome.com.
Bruce was born on December 18, 1963 to Wilmer and Donna (Phillips) Tiedemann in Hartley, Iowa. He grew up on his family’s farm and attended Hartley High School graduating with the class of 1982. In 1989 he was united in marriage to Tiffany Moritz and the couple was blessed with four children: Benjamin, Samantha, Madison and Blaine. The family lived in Northwest Iowa and Nebraska before making their home in Earlham in 2012. Bruce farmed and ranched before working at Martin Marietta Materials when he moved to Earlham.
Bruce's life motto for his family was to love, protect and provide and he did just that up until the very end. His family meant everything to him. No one loved more than Bruce.
His greatest love was his wife of 33 years, Tiffany
His hard head was his eldest son Ben
His baby girl was his first daughter Sam
His pain in the butt was most definitely Madi
His tender heart was his youngest, Blaine
His one and only Grandson was Teddy or as Bruce called him “Grandson”
Everyone who knew Bruce knew he was the Big Gentle Giant, or as he was known to his work friends, Shrek. Bruce loved everyone… except for those he didn’t.
He lit up every room he walked into with his smile or his booming voice, whatever you heard or saw first. He treasured time spent at his children’s activities where he was the loudest and biggest fan. Everyone knew him for his “bark.”
Bruce loved his family.
He kept his guns cleaned for anyone that messed with his daughters.
He showed his boys how to shoot.
Bruce protected his family.
Bruce worked from sunup to sun down. He was the hardest worker you’ve ever met. When he wasn’t working and taking care of his family, you’d find him by the grill, in the kitchen, or working in his massive garden. Bruce took pride and joy in his homemade salsa he made with fresh vegetables from his garden; Bruce also took pride in his grilling skills and always had a beer in his hand while doing it. He’d pop popcorn in his free time as well, and it was never too salty.
Bruce provided for his family.
His favorite holiday of all was Christmas. His favorite Christmas movie was “The Polar Express.” that he showed to his children and then to his Grandson. He’d love knowing we had a white Christmas. His favorite holiday tradition was making Oyster soup and Grandma Delilah's homemade chicken and dumpling soup that all enjoyed after the church service on Christmas Eve. He made damn sure his wife knew to grab the Oysters, even in the hospital she didn’t hear the end of it. His other favorite Christmas movie was “Die Hard…” when questioned on it, he simply said “It was made during Christmas, wasn’t it?”
Christmas will never be the same without Bruce but he’d be happy to know his loved ones will always celebrate Christmas and his life at this time.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Wilmer and Donna Tiedemann; father-in-law, Elwin “Butch” Moritz; and grandmother-in-law, Delilah Christensen.
He leaves behind his wife, Tiffany of Earlham; children: Benjamin (Megan) Tiedemann of Story City, Samantha (William) Walton of Des Moines, Madison (CJ) Gross of Clive and Blaine Tiedemann of Earlham; grandson, Theodore Gross; siblings: Kathy, Brian, Brent and Karla, and their spouses; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family and friends that will miss him dearly.
To send flowers in memory of Bruce Tiedemann, visit the Tribute Store.
30
Dec
140 NW 2nd St
Earlham,, IA 50072
31
Dec
140 NW 2nd St
Earlham,, IA 50072
3
Jan
240th Street
Okoboji, IA 51355
240th Street
Okoboji, IA 51355
Johnson Family Funeral Home & Cremation Services
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