Bernice Annabelle McKenzie was born on April 9, 1924 at the family farm near Bonesteel to Frank and Rose (Herman) McKenzie. She passed away on Saturday, June 13, 2009 at McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. She had nine siblings. We heard many stories over the years of the hard work and all of the fun they had growing up. She attended country schools and also attended a boarding school until her teenage years. During the war she worked at an ammunition factory in Grand Island, Nebraska returning home to this area for the rest of her life. She loved the country life. A big city was not her idea of a good time. She went to work in the 1970s as a teachers aide at Bonesteel School. Over the years former students would always take the time to visit with her. She loved those visits.
She was an avid reader and kept up on the current happenings in the world. She loved to discuss politics and pity the person who disagreed with her. She loved house plants, flowers and gardening. She was forever cleaning up her plants. She did a lot of sewing until arthritis put a stop to that but she kept all of her material just in case. She also loved to go to garage sales with the girls rain or shine she went. Every summer she would make her wonderful dill pickles always saying she was getting too old and that year would be the last but the next summer she was making those dill pickles. She taught us well , never to leave home with an unmade bed and dirty dishes in the sink.
What brought her the greatest joy was spending time with her family and her many dear friends. As the years went by and the grandchildren came along that was her true happiness. Each and every grandchild held a special place in her heart and she loved them unconditionally. She was called Grandma and Mom by many friends and youngsters over the years. So many times we were told what a wonderful Mother we had and how lucky we were. Thankfully we all knew it was true. She shared a special relationship with her son-in-laws. A couple of them always trying to get the best of her with jokes, usually failing or just a good visit over a cup of coffee.
She married Ben Tietgen in 1948. They lived on several farms the first years of their marriage finally settling on the home place where she lived the rest of her days. For many years she and her beloved son, Rex lived and ranched on the home place. She was a member of All Saints Episcopal Church of rural Herrick.
She is survived by her daughters: Anita (Larry) Allyn, St. Charles, SD, Roxine (Russ) Merrills, Herrick, SD, Shirley (Michael) Cole, Herrick, SD, Pamela (Vernon) Hitchcock, Newport, NE. Two sisters: Neomi Schepp, Cheyenne, WY, Norma Jeanne Lucht, Grand Island, NE, thirteen grandchildren: Cheryl, Natalie (Jim), Amanda(Derek), Jessica, Derek (Brandi), Rusty Ann (Ryan), Rusty (Becky), Amy, Clint(Rachel), Riley, Heath, Terri (Jim) and Steve (Angela). Seventeen great grandchildren: Tyler, Ben, Bailey, Laurel, Dylan, Sienna, Jenna, Jessica, Amari, Isaiah, Jordon, Chance, Connor, Madeline, Cole, John and Hunter, many nephews, nieces and countless friends. Last but not least the Pierre boysDoug, Swede and Larry.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son Rex, granddaughter Robin, sisters, Viola Warner, Ethel Hanson, Darlene Ellston, brothers, Reuben, Richard, Patrick and Carl McKenzie.
She left us many happy memories and will live in our hearts forever. May she rest in peace.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 18, 2009 at 2:00 PM at Clausen Funeral Home in Burke. Burial will be in the Herrick Cemetery, Herrick. There will be a prayer service on Wednesday at 7:00 PM at the funeral home. Visitation will be Wednesday from 4 to 8 PM at the funeral home.