Kent Edwin Tietjen was born Jan. 21, 1955, in Superior, to Verland Edwin and Merna Jean (Reckewey) Tietjen. He died Nov. 20, 2022, at Thayer County Health Services, Hebron, Nebraska, at the age of 67 years. His final resting place will be in his treasured hometown of Byron, Nebraska at the St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery.
Kent was baptized by Pastor Orville Reeg on Feb. 13, 1955, and confirmed May 25, 1969, by Pastor P. W. Pilgrim at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Byron, where he was a lifelong member. He spent his early years growing up in the town of Byron, attending Byron Elementary along with his two sisters. From a young age, he gravitated towards books and athletics. As he entered high school, it was apparent Kent was a bright and talented young man. He effortlessly excelled in academics, solidifying his commitment to lifelong learning. He was also a member of the Byron High School football and basketball teams. A highlight of his high school athletic career was making it to the state tournament semi-finals in basketball of his junior year. After graduating from Byron High in 1973, he enrolled at the University of Nebraska Lincoln where he studied philosophy. He eventually returned to work in Byron at the family-owned Byron Implement Company as well as the family farm.
On September 20, 1975, Kent married his high-school sweetheart, Susan Wenske, at St. Peter Lutheran Church, rural Byron. The couple settled and lived around Byron their entire marriage, bringing into this world three children, Tyler Edwin, Kimberly Susanne and Courtney Kay. These three children were the source of immeasurable joy and pride for Kent as were his grandchildren when they arrived. Shortly after the marriage, he started to work for Byron State Bank. His first position there was as a teller in 1978, then moved in to the position of vice president in 1979, a title he would hold until 1990. While at the bank, his talents with computers became evident as he was instrumental in switching the bank from a manual to computer-based system. After retiring from work at the bank, Kent returned to life on the farm, starting Tietjen & Son Farms with his son, Tyler, and co-owning and operating Precision Irrigation in Byron. He continued farming with Tietjen & Son until he was no longer physically able to do so.
Besides his family, one of Kent's great loves was his hometown, Byron. His town was extremely important to him and he served his beloved community in many capacities. At St. Paul Lutheran Church, he served on the church council and was influential in setting up the St. Paul Christian Outreach Fund. He was a member of the Lions Club, Byron Volunteer Fire Department, Byron First Responders, and on the school board for Chester-Hubbell-Byron. He led Byron youth teaching computer science to the Country Critters 4-H club, and was a coach for his children's summer baseball and softball teams for several years. When he was younger, he enjoyed playing on Byron's town team basketball and fast pitch softball teams with his friends. Anyone who was lucky enough to hear him sing knew he had an amazing voice and an enduring love of music, even managing a local band shortly after college. He was such an avid reader he had many self-taught hobbies and turned himself into an amateur welder, electrician and computer technician. He even begrudgingly raised hogs a couple times in his life, despite voicing his aversion to doing so! He enjoyed traveling with his wife and family, history, woodworking, gardening, had a soft spot for dogs, and especially enjoyed a day of fishing on a peaceful lake.
Kent was preceded in death by his parents, Verland and Merna Tietjen; father-in-law, Ralph Wenske; granddaughter, Bailey Rose Harden; and sister-in-law, Debby Wenske.
He is survived by his wife, Susan, of 47 years; son, Tyler and wife, Charlotte, and their children Logan and special friend, Abby Fiegener, Natalie, Taylor and Paige Tietjen of Byron, daughter, Dr. Kimberly and husband, Ian, and their children Jase, Evan, and Quinn Harden of Colorado Springs, Colo., and daughter, Courtney and husband, Austin, and their children, Cooper, Delaney, and Elliott Farnstrom of Byron. He is also survived by two sisters, Sarah DeRienzo and husband, Chris, of Lincoln, Nebraska, and Laura Tietjen of Lincoln, Nebraska; mother-in-law, Luetta Wenske of Byron; one sister-in-law, Linda Heitmann and husband, Doyle, of Byron; two brothers-in-law, David Wenske and wife, Suzie, of Deshler, Neb., and Alan Wenske of Byron; as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends.
His funeral was held at 10:30 a.m., at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Byron, on Nov. 25, with PMA Irvin Schleufer officiating. Organist was Crystal Krenke. Interment was at St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery in Byron. Price Funeral Home of Hebron assisted the family with arrangements. http://www.priceurbauerahrendts.com
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