Obituary of Barbara Jean Bieg-Tietema

Obituary of Barbara Jean Bieg-Tietema March 7, 1954 — July 8, 2022 
Barbara Tietema, beloved wife and partner of William Donis and loving mother to Douglas (Jenny), Kathryn (Joshua), and stepdaughter Danielle Donis-Lowry (Dustin) was reunited with her parents in Heaven at 2:25am on July 8. Barbara is now free of all earthly pain and suffering. She was born in Chicago, Illinois to Edward (decd.) and Betty Bieg (decd.). Barb was the middle child in a loving and supportive family of three brothers, James (Rebecca), Richard (Lynn), and Daniel (Susan) and three sisters, Carole (Bill) and twin sisters Jeanne (Joseph) and Donna. Barb felt blessed and humbled to have been Christened by her Great Uncle, Father Theis of Chicago Diocese. Barb attended Saint Alphonsus Grade School in Prospect Heights, IL and then graduated Class of 1972 from Wheeling High School in Wheeling, IL. Barb and John Tietema were married in 1974 and lived in Arlington Heights, IL. where Doug was born. In 1980, the family moved to Mesa, AZ., Katie's birthplace. Then in 1982, a move to Tucson, AZ., brought them closer to Barb's mother and stepfather Jack Fahn (decd.), as well as some of Barb's other siblings. John and Barb later divorced, and remained close friends and raised their children together. Barb joined a parenting group in Tucson making lifelong friends. She was "Nana" to her three beautiful grandsons, Mason, Jackson and Owen. The times she spent with them were her happiest. She was their biggest fan and would attend every school event and sports activity. In January 2001, Katie brought Barb to a dance class at Pima Community College where she met Bill. Barb and Bill continued to dance and share their lives for over 21 years. Travelling was Barb's passion and together they made multiple trips to Puerto Penasco (Rocky Point), Las Vegas, Maui, and many trips throughout the West. Barb retired as a Customer Service Manager with Kroger in 2005 after 22 years of service. She then went on to become an accomplished artist in pastel, watercolor, and oil paintings as well as designing and creating jewelry. Throughout the years she attended numerous craft shows to display her art and jewelry. Barb was always making new friends. Barb's loving and friendly personality allowed her to easily strike up a conversation with strangers in a grocery line as if she'd always known them. Barb enjoyed an active lifestyle her entire life despite having Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and the constant pain she endured from it. Barb was a fighter and, despite her RA, loved to camp, fish and hike in Sedona, Catalina State Park, Patagonia and Show Low. She loved all animals and enjoyed taking her little dog Gracie for walks. Her favorite place overall was "Anywhere with a Beach". A celebration of this amazing woman's life will be held on Saturday October 8, 2022, beginning at 11:00 am at Catalina State Park 11570 North Oracle Road, Tucson, AZ. 85737 at the Ringtail Group Area Ramada. 
To view the Memorial page go to barbtietema.com