Last November, we had the honor of celebrating Don Tietz’s 104th birthday. At the time, Mayor Myron Bailey and Police Chief Peter Koerner joined in the celebration honoring Tietz with two of the cities challenge coins and a special Military Appreciation patch. Last week, the Allina Health Hospice care team honored Tietz with their own accolades.
From our November story.
Tietz was the oldest of his 16 siblings with his youngest sibling being 19 years younger. He grew up in Iowa and lived with his parents until he was six. At that point, he lived with a variety of other family members who had less kids to help balance the cost of living. The families were mostly farmers, a trade that Tietz worked until he turned 21 when he was drafted for World War II.
“I got a call, we want you, and I took training for about four or four to six weeks, which wasn't much in Texas. He sent us to California where I was supposed to get on a boat there to go to Japan. The boat never showed up. So, since I was there, we walked guard along Long Beach for about three, four weeks. Then they pulled us out and we went to Camp Booker, Alabama. When we went down there, that's where we got the training. That's where they put 67-pound pack on my back, a nine-pound rifle and army boats. They did that, and we had to walk eight hours and 25 miles at a 10-minute break every hour,” explained Tiezt.
His story telling is not quite what it used to be, but he still can spin a yarn for those willing to listen. He was having a good day much like during his birthday celebration. Tietz was married “over 40 years” was the best math he could do on the spot. His wife Dolores passed when she was 68, today she would be 94. He also spoke of his 20 plus years as a mechanic for Chrysler in St. Paul and how when he was younger that a loaf of bread was only three cents and his brush with fame was the time he met and partied with Doris Day.
The hospice care team brought in their musical therapist who played ‘God Bless America’ for the gathered group. Tietz was then awarded with a pin, a certificate of thanks and a blanket.