Lynell "Lynn" M. Tietz

Sun Prairie - Lynell “Lynn” M. Tietz, 80, passed away unexpectedly at her home on Friday, January 12, 2024.

Lynn was born in Eau Claire, WI on July 26, 1943.  Her parents were Melvin and Ellen Johnson (Hennessey). Lynn was one of three children. She had two older sisters, Margie Satre and Judy Reisen.

Lynn graduated from Eau Claire Memorial High School in 1961. She then married her high school sweetheart Roger Tietz in October of 1961. They were happily married for 61 years and raised four children – Jim, Cheri, Mike, and Kevin.

Lynn and Roger enjoyed boating and spending time on the water.  Lynn’s parents had a cottage on Lake Eau Claire, where we all spent many an hour boating, water skiing, tubing, lighting campfires, playing cards, and sharing lots of laughs.  Through the years they owned several boats, and eventually had a boat that they kept at the Lake City Marina, in Pepin, MN, where they enjoyed cruising the Mississippi River and spending time with friends and family. Their cocker spaniel, Spuds, was also always there with them. Lynn loved all her dogs, but Spuds held a special place in her heart.

In 1990 they built her dream house in Sun Prairie. One of her dreams was to have a big lot with an inground pool where family and friends could come over and relax.  Then in 2000, they built their winter home in Punta Gorda, Florida. Lynn loved the warm winters and sunshine in Florida and wasn’t shy about telling her family and friends back in Wisconsin how nice their weather was there compared to Wisconsin!

Lynn worked at JC Penney for several years, and then decided to become her own boss, and opened a gift shop in Sun Prairie called ‘Basketcase’.  Soon Roger was delivering gift baskets all over town!

When she wasn’t selling gift baskets, she also led the Sunday School program at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Sun Prairie, attended many a Badger Football game, and most importantly she always enjoyed spending time with family and friends.  Whether it was golfing, playing cards, or just cooking up one of her wonderful recipes for a casual dinner, those were her happiest times.  In fact, whenever anyone had a cold, she would make her special chicken soup and by the next morning you were already feeling better.  She even had her own cookbook printed!

Lynn truly had a heart of gold and will be deeply missed by everyone.

Lynn is survived by her four children Jim (Sharon) Tietz, Cheri (Brian) Fochs, Mike Tietz, Kevin (Christina) Tietz; ten grandchildren Nicole, Nathan, Grant, Kelsey, Troy, Haley, McKenna, Caleb, Jordynn, Evan; three great-grandchildren Madison, Tristan, and Lyla.  She is also survived by two sisters, Marge Satre and Judy (Milt) Reisen along with five nieces and nephews.  John (Tami) Satre, Eric (Philomena) Satre, Ann Marie Satre, Tom (Esther) Desimini, and Julie (Lee) Swafford. 

She is proceeded in death by her parents, Melvin and Ellen Johnson; and her in-laws Alfred and Doloris Tietz; and her husband, Roger Tietz.

There will be a celebration of life on Friday, January 26^th from 12:30 to 3:30 at Buck and Honey’s restaurant in Sun Prairie. The address is 804 Liberty Blvd., Sun Prairie.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Lynn’s memory be made to St. Jude or Agrace Hospice.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

1310 Emerald Terrace, Sun Prairie

(608) 837-9054