Shirley B Tietz

Shirley Budd Tietz, daughter of Rufus Ray Budd and Juanita (Johns) Budd, was born on September 28, 1937, in Tampa, Florida. Shirley grew up with a large and loving extended family who spent much of their time together, both working and playing. She graduated from Hillsborough High School in 1955 and University of Tampa in 1959, earning her Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education.

Shirley was married to Donald Rudolph Tietz in Tampa in June of 1961. They moved to a farm in Burt, Iowa, in 1963. Though she left the south, the south stayed with her, and she became known up north for her sweet southern drawl, generous hospitality, and pleasant charm. Don and Shirley built what became their family home in Algona, Iowa in 1966 where they raised their two children, Lisa and Darren and lived for 20 years until Shirley moved back to Tampa in 1986.

Shirley dearly loved children and taught school for many years in both Iowa and Florida. She retired from her teaching career in Tampa in 2008 and moved to Gig Harbor, WA to be closer to her daughter, son in law, and 4 grandchildren, who were her pride and joy. She loved living next door to her family for the last 15 years of her life, much of her grandchildren’s growing up years, and they spent much time at her kitchen counter over a conversation and a snack or meal she had made them.

To know Shirley was to love her. She was a proud, loving, and dedicated mother and grandmother, a loyal friend, and a devoted family member. She absolutely adored being in the kitchen and always had her famous baked items ready to go for any event or occasion. She was “Meme” to not only her grandchildren, but all their friends and so many who knew her. She had a huge heart and treated everyone she knew with tremendous kindness and compassion. Her heart for the Lord guided and motivated all that she did, and her gifts of service and hospitality will be forever remembered. She faithfully attended church and her weekly Bible Study class, enjoyed her bi-monthly Bridge Club group, took part in all grandkid activities and was an avid reader.

It goes without saying how greatly Shirley, Mom, Meme will be missed, but we rejoice in knowing she was welcomed into Heaven with great celebration and will live eternally with her Lord and Savior. We will not mourn as those without hope as we look forward to that wonderful day when we will see her again!

Shirley leaves behind her daughter Lisa Arnold and husband Torsten of Gig Harbor, WA; granddaughters Baylee Shaner and husband Luke of Newburyport, MA and Chloe Arnold of Gig Harbor, WA; grandsons Brennan and Caden Arnold of Gig Harbor, WA; nieces and nephews and cousins in Florida and Iowa whom she stayed very close with, and so many friends she made throughout the years. Shirley was preceded in death by her parents Johnny and Juanita Pullara, and her son Darren who she now joyfully joins in Heaven.

An Open House Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 19th, 2023, at the home of Lisa and Torsten Arnold in Gig Harbor from 2-5 pm.