Patricia “Patty” Louise Tieszen

Patty Tieszen was born on July 16, 1928 in Forgan, Oklahoma to Henry Mercer and Helen (Rice) Parks. She passed peacefully on February 23, 2023 at Schowalter Villa in Hesston, KS. She married Lewis Earl Tieszen on August 18, 1953.  He preceded her in death on October 12, 1995.

Patty moved to Wichita from Oklahoma and attended Friends University. There she was a member of the Singing Quakers. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Sociology. Early on, she worked for Boeing and was introduced to Lewis by her future sister-in-law. She moved to Walton where she worked for Rhodes Construction. After she married, she and Lewis started a family and her work became her children and the business of the farm. She was a vital member in the Walton community, helping with 4H, Boy Scouts and various organizations in Walton.

When the children were all in school, she worked as a substitute teacher, an educational aide and a paraprofessional for many years in the USD 373 school district.  She was passionate about student learning and loved children.  After retiring from USD 373, she went to work at Walmart as a greeter when it opened in Newton.

Patty was very supportive of her children and grandchildren in their school and extracurricular activities; rarely missing a game, match, meet, choir/band performance or musical. She loved reading to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and there are many photos of her in her chair with the kids on her lap and a book in hand.

She was a member of Walton United Methodist Church and was an active choir member with a beautiful alto voice. Her faith was apparent to all who knew her not because she talked about it, but because of the way she lived her life. She gave of herself and accepted others the way they were. After experiencing the loss of her sons, she became a member of Harvey County Compassionate Friends.

Patty loved spending time with family playing games and sharing meals together. From “wienie” roasts, home-cooked breakfasts and holiday feasts; all brought family and friends together at the farm. Holidays were especially important to her.

She loved music. She could often be found at the piano playing or teaching one of the little ones. She was an avid gardener of many vegetables, but her tomatoes were spectacular.  She always had beautiful flowers both in the yard and in pots. She was extremely well-read and well-informed about current events.

Patty was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her sons: Michael Kent Tieszen and Richard Scott Tieszen, four sisters: Luetta Conn, Nellie Fairbank, Catherine Whitney and Shirley Meyer, and one brother H.M. Rice.

She is survived by her daughter, Marilyn Kay Tieszen (Jack), daughters-in-law: Glenda Stafford and Connie Tieszen, grandchildren: Bethany Jarrett, Kathryn Shepherd, Steven Tieszen, Elizabeth Meinsen and Jennifer Waldman as well as 13 great grandchildren.

A visitation will be held at Petersen’s Family Funeral Home on Friday, March 3^rd from 5 pm-9 pm with family present from 6 pm-8 pm.  The funeral will be Saturday, March 4^th at 10:00 am at Walton United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Walton United Methodist Church, The Compassionate Friends of Harvey County or Walton Rural Life Center.