Donald and Velma (Sackett) Tiedeman

TIEDEMAN, SACKETT, LEWIS, WIGGINS, LORENZ, BUROFF

Posted By: Peggy Elliott Webster (email)
Date: 2/15/2014 at 18:56:49

Donald Fred Tiedeman was born in Summerset Township, Adair County, Iowa, on January 4, 1924, to Fred and Cora (Wiggins) Tiedeman. Velma C. (Sackett) Tiedeman was born June 8, 1924, in Grove Township, Adair County, Iowa, to Art and Edith (Lewis) Sackett.

Donald attended Fontanelle Public School and graduated in 1943. Upon graduation he enlisted in the Army Air Corps on July 25, 1943, at Camp Dodge, Iowa. He received his pilot's wings on April 14, 1945, at the Waco Air Force Base as a flight officer.

Velma attended Grove Township No. 3 rural school and graduated from Greenfield Public School in 1943. Upon graduation she received her teacher's certificate, teaching at rural schools Grove No. 2 for two years and Grove No.. 6 for two years.

Donald and Velma were married August 26, 1944, in Corsicana, Texas, during World War II. During their first years of marriage they were stationed at San Antonio, Waco and Midland Air Force bases in Texas. Donald was a pilot for Army Air Force, training bombardiers. Velma worked for the American Trading and Production Oil Company logging soil samples of oil wells.

On February 25, 1946, Donald was honorably discharged from the Army Air Force at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, and returned to Fontanelle, Iowa. He worked for the Fontanelle Implement Company as a salesman and then moved to the Massena Implement Company in 1953. In November of 1957 he worked for the Fontanelle Co-op as a tank wagon sales person and later became manager of the petroleum tire, battery and assessory department. He retired from there after 30 years. Velma returned to teaching in 1969 and retired from the Bridgewater-Fontanelle Pre-School after 19 years of service.

They are the parents of two daughters. Rae Jean born in 1953 and Connie born in 1958. They have two grandsons, Donnie born in 1979, and Cole born in 1983, sons of Ray Jean and Tom Lorenz. Their granddaughter, MacKenzie born in 1993, is the daughter of Connie Buroff.

Both Donald and Velma are very active within the community. They attend the First Congregational Church and are treasurer and secretary of the board. Donald has been involved in community affairs of the American Legion and Drill Team, Lions Club, school board, Veterans Affairs board and the Landfill board. Velma has been active in the Women's Fellowship at the church and the American Legion Auxiliary.

They still live in the same little, white house they built together in Fontanelle after the war. Donald Enjoys woodworking and Velma enjoys needlework.

Submitted by: Connie Buroff and Rae Jean Lorenz
Source: Adair County Iowa Sesquicentennial Edition 1851-2001, pg. 476