11/11/2025
Nancy Ann Tiedeman
Sadly, Nancy Ann (Notbohm) Tiedeman passed away peacefully on November 9, 2025. Aged 94 – or, as she would adamantly say, “39,” just like the comedian Jack Benny – Nancy was born on August 13, 1931, to Elmer and Ellen June Notbohm in Milwaukee. Not one to be superstitious, 13 was her lucky number: born on the 13th, turning 13 on Friday the 13th, 13 letters in “Nancy Tiedeman”, and retiring from living at 94 (9 + 4 = 13).
Her early years were spent growing up in Waukesha and, as a young teen, moved with her family to Janesville. She worked folding bandages during World War II, worked at Goodnough’s music store in high school, and went on to graduate from Janesville High School in 1949. She attended U-Rock the year it opened.
Nancy did office work at the Chevrolet plant where her future husband, Wayne Tiedeman, an engineer, also worked. After Nancy met Wayne through a Masonic lodge member, Wayne became quite smitten with her and was seen going to Nancy’s office area with increasing frequency until they finally married in 1954.
Soon thereafter, Nancy became a proud mother and full-time homemaker. It didn’t take long before one of her many superpowers came to light in which she could see through walls thereby forestalling any troublemaking from her 3 children. In addition to supporting family member activities, such as scouts and volunteering at school, Nancy exhibited her many artistic talents including playing piano and organ, tailoring, making pottery and working with stained glass. She also displayed scientific tendencies by experimenting with food recipes – usually to the delight but sometimes distress of family members. Fortunately, her tendencies never strayed too far as she never used the pottery kiln as a pizza oven.
She was an active member of the Anglican Church and its St. Martha’s Guild. Nancy was a 70+ year member in numerous Masonic and Eastern Star organizations. She was a Past Honored Queen of Bethel # 21, IOJD; Past Matron and life member of Janesville Chapter # 69, OES and its Matrons Club and Study Class; Fifty-year member of Zion Shrine # 15, W S of J; Hope Court # 11, O of A; Auxiliary of Janesville Commandery # 2; all of Janesville. She was a member of Antioch Temple # 113, Daughters of the Nile, Madison. She was Past Noble Grand of Rebekah Lodge # 171 and member of America Rebekah Lodge # 26, IOOF both of Janesville.
Nancy showed stoic determination and resilience as she beat two cancers and overcame a hip replacement, yet another superpower that enabled her to live a full life for many years after the surgeries. She never complained. Instead, she would sometimes give that spry “evil eye” look that only a battle-tested veteran of life could give when told to “Suck it up, Buttercup” as she did her walking and exercises.
These were a few of her favorite thing: Listening to music - especially her idol “Old Blue Eyes” (Frank Sinatra); The color purple; Steak that is so rare it could walk off your plate; Chocolate caramel candy (a basic food group according to her); Dancing; Watching the deer and her “Mr. Fox” come up from the park to hang out and frolic in her backyard; Watching the Packers from her perch as a part team owner; Watching tennis (even though she never played the game).
Nancy is preceded in death by her husband, Wayne, great-granddaughter, Kennedy Balch, and her brother Rex Notbohm. Her legacy lives on through 3 children, Mark Tiedeman, Faith (Tiedeman) Arnold, and Cindy Tiedeman; 9 grandchildren, Karen (Tiedeman) LaMoure, Laura Tiedeman, Scott Tiedeman, Angela (Koepp) Damato, Kamrin Arnold, Sarah Arnold (Balch), Natasha (Arnold) Kolovitz, Meghann (Arnold) Jensen, and Torrey Tiedeman; and 10 great grandchildren. They all agree that her greatest superpower was her love of her family and she will be sorely missed. Of course, she will, in the end, get the last laugh as she watches us delve through and explore her many collections of many items procured over many years.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Mayo Clinic Primary Care Home Visit Program. The family would like to especially thank Beth, Nancy's CNA who faithfully and lovingly cared for Nancy every single morning as well as Joanne, Audrey, and Kiersten, her Med Team.
A visitation will be held from 1:30 to 2:15 p.m. on Monday, November 17, 2025, at the OAK HILL CHAPEL, Janesville with an Eastern Star Service at 2:15 p.m. followed by a funeral service at 2:30 p.m. with Father Edward Ruhlander officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery. The Tiedeman family is being assisted by HENKE-CLARSON FUNERAL HOME. Online condolences may be sent to www.henkeclarson.com.
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