Claudelle Tiedemann

Claudelle Tiedemann, 77, passed away Thursday, October 16, 2014. She was born in Mason City, IA, and adopted as an infant by Claud and Stella Miller of Cresco, IA. Claudelle and her two brothers, Jim and Steve, attended St. Joseph Elementary School in Cresco.

After graduating from high school at Our Lady of Good Counsel Academy in Mankato, MN, and after college, she enjoyed a teaching career in Minnesota and Iowa Schools; as well as family life with her husband, Bill Tiedemann, and two daughters, Laura and Kristin.

From 1975 to 1990 she was a stay-at-home mom with occasional part-time jobs managing a Dairy Queen at the corner of 6th and College Ave. and as a G.E.D. examiner.

After Bill was injured while on his job as a stationary engineer at Mercy Hospital, Claudelle was hired in 1990 by the Des Moines Public Schools to facilitate a State Early Childhood Grant Program called Parents as Teachers.

In 1994, Claudelle found her birth family and met her half-sister, Dorothy Witt, of Mason City, IA in a joyous reunion.

She retired from teaching in 2000 to care for her husband who passed away in 2001. In 2009, her 31 yr. old daughter, Laura, died leaving two sons, William age 4 yrs. and Benjamin age 2 yrs. They now live with their father, Jason Hainline in Missouri. Claudelle volunteered once a week with 3rd grade and kindergarten classes at Martensdale St. Marys. Her daughter, Kristin married Andres Campos; they have a 10 yr. old daughter, Marie, and live in Minooka, IL.

Claudelle enjoyed reading, music, cooking and baking, water aerobics, crocheting, playing Cribbage with her brother, Steve, who lives just five blocks away, and spending time with family and friends including her new friends at Fort Des Moines Senior Housing.

A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, October 26, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines, Iowa.

On-line condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

Print