Funeral services for Martha Tietz, age 91 of Elgin, will be held at 10:30am Saturday, November 22, 2008 at Hope Congregational Church in Elgin. Pastor Ellis Ryherd will officiate with burial in Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery at New Leipzig.

Serving as casketbearers are her grandchildren; Steve Rokusek, Shiela Green, Stephanie Rokusek, Scott Rokusek, Dennis Zacher, Douglas Zacher, Daniel Zacher, Linette Raab, Randy Tietz, Daryl Tietz, Michelle Mills, Sharilyn Duppong, and Joshua Tietz. All of Martha's grandchildren are considered honorary bearers.


MARTHA MARIE RENNICH was born May 6, 1917 at Elgin, ND to Gottlieb and Magdalina (Schafer) Rennich. She grew up south of Elgin and attended a local country school near her home. She was united in marriage to Ernest Tietz on June 30, 1941 at New Leipzig, ND. They homesteaded across the river from the former Roy Lehman farm southeast of Elgin on the Cannonball River. Their home was destroyed by the flood in March of 1943 which took most of their animals and belongings. They were forced to re-locate about 5½ miles south of Elgin.


To this union four children were born, Dean, Betty, Doris and LeRoy. Martha enjoyed the farm and the outdoor activities that go with it. She always had a huge garden and loved canning the produce. She made lots of jelly, enjoyed baking, cooking, and especially baking the homemade bread and pigs in the blanket. She raised ducks and chickens, plus had many family pets.


After Martha's husband passed away in 1974, she moved into Elgin. In 1998, she entered Dakota Hills and in 2006, she entered the Jacobson Memorial Care Center.


Martha passed away on Wednesday, November 19, 2008 at the Jacobson Memorial Hospital in Elgin.


She was an avid letter writer and faithfully kept in touch with family members. Martha was a very dedicated mother and friend.


Surviving family members include her 2 daughters and sons-in-law, Doris and Gary Zacher, Elgin, ND; Betty and Jerry Rokusek, Mott, ND; 2 sons and daughters-in-law, Dean and Marilyn Tietz, Elgin, ND; LeRoy and Kay Tietz, Dickinson, ND; 13 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, 2 brothers and sisters-in-law, Henry and Freda Rennich, Walter and Bernice Rennich, all of Lemmon, SD.


She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, 1 sister, Ida Keopplin; 1 great granddaughter, MacKenzie Rokusek.


Visitation will be on Friday from 1:00 to 7:00pm at the Evanson-Jensen Funeral Home in Elgin and on Saturday one hour prior to services at Hope Congregational Church in Elgin.