Robert Tietjen

Robert Tietjen, age 69, of Corona, SD, passed away on Thursday, April 4, 2024, at his home.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, April 11, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Milbank, SD. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Mundwiler Funeral Home in Milbank with a prayer service beginning at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday. Reverend Chris Davis will officiate, and interment will be at Milbank Cemetery.

The service will be livestreamed and recorded and will be viewable at the bottom of this page.

Robert Wesley Tietjen was born on July 11, 1954, at St. Bernard’s Hospital in Milbank, SD, to Gordon and Esther (Buck) Tietjen. He was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Corona, SD. He attended school in Corona through eighth grade. After his education, he worked on the family farm as well as for Willard Steege. In his younger years, Robert enjoyed deer and pheasant hunting with his older brother, Richard, as well as racing cars with his many friends. He worked for Firestone in Milbank, SD, and in Fargo, ND. Later, he worked for Annett & R.E. Lien Construction.

Robert was united in marriage with Donna Borchert on April 19, 1980, at Trinity Lutheran Church. In 1994, Robert started Tietjen Blading where he bladed and removed snow for several townships, buried numerous rock piles, and took down old building sites until his health declined. Robert was a very hardworking man and took great pride in his work. 

Robert was a member of the Emanuel Lutheran Church in Milbank. He treasured his time spent with family, whether it was deer hunting, holiday celebrations, or just spending time talking with them.

Left to cherish Robert’s memory are his wife of 43 years, Donna Tietjen of Corona, SD; daughters: Jessica (Ryan) Spanton of Milbank, SD; Karen (Alex) Ferguson of Godfrey, IL; and Wendy Faughn of Ortonville, MN; nine grandchildren: Logan Tietjen, Jasmine Tietjen, Tristan Ferguson, Madison Ferguson, Katelyn Ferguson, Amy (Jack) DeWitt, Zachary (Emily) Cramer, Sydney Spanton, and Riley Spanton; two great-grandchildren: Allison DeWitt and Kohen Cramer; brothers: Roger (Robin) Tietjen of Big Stone City, SD; and Scott (Heather) Tietjen of Baltic, SD; and sister-in-law, Linda (Tom) Pauli of Milbank, SD.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Gordon and Esther; stepfather, Mervin Wiese; granddaughter, MyKayla Cramer; great-grandson, Jack DeWitt III; son-in-law, Stephen Cramer; brother, Richard Tietjen; and sister-in-law, JoNell Borchert.