Clifford Frank Tietz

Clifford Frank "Grandpa" Tietz, born February 5, 1925 (2/5/1925) passed away under hospice care on Friday, November 14, 2014. He was 89 (going on 90) years old. Or admitting he was only 39 for many years. Clifford was the fifth of six children born to Nettie (Wood) and Frank Tietz. He grew up in the Wausau area. He attended Wausau Senior High School, enlisting in the Army during World War II prior to graduating. He was part of the Army Engineer Corp and served in North Africa and Italy from 1943 - 1945. Clifford married Betty A. Johnson on May 28, 1949 at Immanuel Lutheran Church. After the war, Clifford worked at Marathon Corporation/American Can/James River. He worked for 44 years in the finishing department, advancing to shift supervisor. Clifford enjoyed music, playing violin, string bass and guitar. He was a member of the original Top Hatters jazz band of Wausau Senior High School in 1941, playing string bass. He would get out his violin every Christmas and play Jack Benny's theme song "Love in Bloom" or Andy Williams "Moon River" and other classic favorites. Clifford was a lifelong hunter, having gone deer hunting with family and friends for over 65 years, which included many trips to Wyoming to hunt mule deer. He won the buck contest at work two years in a row with his ten point bucks! Dad spent a lot of time "up north" at the cottage, hunting, fishing, and spending time with his family during summer vacations. His other hobbies included making wine (with the family favorite being his cranberry wine). He also kept active cooking maple syrup, smoking his beef jerky, and growing vegetables and flowers in his large garden. He was especially fond of gladiolas and for many years he entered them in the Wisconsin Valley Fair. He enjoyed sharing the fruits of his labor with his family and friends at the Chatterbox. Dad liked his sports. He grew up listening to Cubs baseball on the radio with his mother, and of course he was an avid Packer and Badger fan. The best part of the newspaper was the sports page. Clifford was an active member of the VFW Burns Post 388. He fried many cheese curds at the Wisconsin Valley Fair. He is survived by his wife, Betty, and children, Karen (Thomas) Ohrmundt, Patricia (Duane) Bricko, Sally (David) Konkol, and Anders Tietz, all of Wausau; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers; two sisters; and an infant son. Clifford's family would like to thank Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice, Benedictine Manor, and others for the care provided to their father. Special thanks to Edward his caregiver, allowing dad to stay in his home as long as possible. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 18, 2014 at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau. Rev. Dan Sire will officiate. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Park with full military honors conducted by the VFW Burns Post 388, Wausau. Friends may call on Monday from 3:00 until 7:00 p.m. and again on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until time of services at the funeral home. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com