Joan Tietz

Joan Marie Tietz, age 73, of Decatur, Indiana, went to be with her Lord on Monday, October 12, 2026, at Adams Woodcrest.

Joan was born on February 22, 1953, in Oakland, Nebraska, to Bert A. and LaVanda L. (Wiese) Petersen. She was baptized into the faith on March 15th, 1953 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Bancroft, NE. She was united in marriage to Rodney Lloyd Tietz on May 25, 1974.

Joan was a lifelong Lutheran and a current member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Friedheim. Her faith and love of teaching were important parts of her life. She graduated from Concordia Teachers College in Seward, Nebraska, in 1975 and accepted her first call to serve at St. James Lutheran School in Lafayette, Indiana. She went on to spend more than 30 years as a Lutheran elementary school teacher, sharing her knowledge and creativity with students in Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri. She loved collaborating and sharing her gifts with other teachers, presenting at numerous teacher conferences and developing a range of curriculum. She especially enjoyed teaching art and working with young children, inspiring and teaching the next generations.

After retiring from teaching, Joan continued to share her artistic gifts by focusing on her own artwork. She developed her own unique mixed media collage art style, which was showcased at many art fairs, exhibits, and in people’s homes. Art remained a wonderful way for her to express her creativity and share a special part of herself with others.

Family was at the heart of Joan’s life. She treasured traveling with family and friends, and Hawaii was among her favorite places she visited. One especially cherished tradition was the special trip each grandchild looked forward to taking with their grandparents at age ten. These trips created lasting memories.

Some of Joan’s happiest times were spent with her grandchildren, whether baking together, playing games, or making creative projects. She also loved opening her home to family and friends.

Survivors include her husband of 52 years, Rodney Tietz of Decatur, Indiana; two sons, Rev. Dr. Ryan (Jeanine) Tietz of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Andrew (Danielle) Tietz of Newport News, Virginia; daughter, Allison (Rev. Matthew) Ulmer of Decatur, Indiana; mother-in-law, Helen Tietz of Nebraska; three sisters, Sandra Petersen of California, Karen (William) Veal of Nebraska, and Nancy (Randy) Koch of Nebraska; brother, Byron Petersen of Nebraska; eight grandchildren, Isaiah (Elizabeth) Tietz, Amaya Tietz, Jordyn Tietz, Ella Tietz, Davin Tietz, Joanna Ulmer, Adeline Ulmer, and Lydia Ulmer.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and father-in-law, Lloyd Tietz.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 23, 2026, at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Friedheim, with Pastor Matthew Ulmer officiating. Burial will follow at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery in Friedheim.

Family and friends will be received from 9:00 to 10:45 a.m. on Friday at the church.

In lieu of flowers preferred memorial can be given to the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Friedheim. Checks may be made payable to Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Friedheim

Arrangements by Zwick and Jahn Funeral Homes of Decatur, Indiana