Mary Louise Tietjens (Kuhl) of Clermont, FL, was born August 26, 1944, to Raymond and Genevieve “Sally” (Yates) Kuhl. Mary lived a remarkable life filled with love, achievement, and adventure. A proud graduate of Miles High School’s class of 1962, where she met the love of her life, Louis Tietjens. Following her graduation, she pursued higher education at Viterbo College in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, earning an Associate’s degree in Medical Technology Science.
On October 23, 1965, Mary and Lou married. The couple’s life together was marked by adventure and travel, beginning with a move to Germany during Louis’s Air Force service. Their global journeys continued as they traveled around the world, forging friendships and creating memories that would last a lifetime. Their extraordinary adventures took them all over Europe and to Barcelona and Malaysia. Their most cherished experiences were the four years they lived in New Zealand, which became a beloved chapter in their lives.
Professionally, Mary made significant contributions to the field of Medical Records Administration. In 1970, she began her career at Brokaw Hospital in Normal, Illinois, where she became Director of Medical Records in 1974. A dedicated member of the American Medical Record Association, she served as President of the Central Illinois Chapter. Her passion for education led her to share her expertise as an adjunct instructor of Records Management at her alma mater, Illinois State University, for six years, all while caring for her family.
Her greatest source of pride was her family. She is survived by her children, Valerie (Jermaine) Thibodeaux of Normal, IL, and Paul Tietjens of Clermont, FL; her grandsons, Miles and Jaxson Thibodeaux; her brother, Phil (Barb) Kuhl of Morton, IL; sisters Jan Kuhl of Ankeny, IA, Diane Kuhl (Dan Westover) of Fort Collins, CO, Patrice Kuhl (Marc Ramsey) of Lakeside, TX, and brother-in-law Dennis Streets, Maquoketa, IA.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Louis Tietjens; her parents, Raymond and Genevieve & “Sally” Kuhl, her sisters, Julie Streets and Kathy Shannon (and her beloved husband Mike).
Mary will be remembered as a devoted wife, a loving mother and grandmother, a trailblazer in her field, and a global citizen with an adventurous spirit. Her legacy of love, resilience, dedication, kindness, and lifelong learning will continue to inspire all those whose lives she touched.
On February 22, 2025, Mary passed away at the age of 80 after a courageous battle with cancer. Visitation will be held on Friday, August 1, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. at Law-Jones Funeral Home in Preston, IA, followed by a celebration of her incredible life. An inurnment will follow the service at the Miles Cemetery in Miles, Iowa.
