Memorial
Ronald Leslie Tietge, 88, passed away peacefully on February 18, 2024, with his family by his side. A celebration of Ron’s life includes a visitation on Friday, February 23, from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m., at Cedar Memorial Funeral Home and a funeral service on Saturday, February 24, at 1:30 p.m., at the Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories. The funeral service will be live-streamed and recorded, which may be accessed through the "Video" tab above. Interment will be at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.
Ron was born on April 17, 1935, to Henry and Marjorie (Darrow) Tietge. He graduated from Walker High School in 1953 and attended the University of Iowa for one semester. He married Yvonne “Bonnie” Boom on August 30, 1956. They were married 47 years. Bonnie passed away on January 1, 2003. In the fall of 2003, he became reacquainted with his high school girlfriend, Lula Perkov, and they have been together for 20 years.
Ron worked at Collins Radio as a draftsman for several years and then began his lifelong career as an automobile mechanic. He was in partnership with his father, Henry, at their automotive repair shop in Walker, Iowa. In 1977, he opened Ron Tietge Automotive in Cedar Rapids, retiring in 2009 after his shop was heavily damaged in the 2008 flood.
Ron was a man of many talents who could fix almost anything. His favorite hobbies were restoring antique Ford automobiles and building HO model trains. He also raced hydroplane power boats with his father and brother, Jim, from the time he was 14 until his last race in 1982. He was a past member of the Cedar Rapids Rodbenders, the American Power Boat Association, and the Hawkeye Stock Outboard Association. He was also an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan.
Ron is survived by his daughters, Tammy VanBogart and Cindy (Dan) Carpenter; his son, Chad Tietge; grandson, Justin (Shauna) VanBogart; granddaughters, Leslie (Aaron) Epstein and Lindsey Carpenter; grandsons, Austin and Dawson Tietge; great granddaughters, James and Eden; brother, Jim Tietge; sisters, Connie (Don) Simanek, Penny Stober, and Mary (Tom) Nienhuis; and his fiancé, Lula Perkov.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Bonnie, and his parents, Henry and Marjorie.
Ron was unwavering in his generosity and commitment to his family. He was a kind, compassionate, and humble man who was absolutely adored by his friends, customers, and his entire family. He was an active and loving grandfather and knew no bounds to ensuring his grandchildren had a happy childhood.