In Memory of LaVohn "Bonnie" Alice Tietsort

LaVohn Alice “Bonnie” (Sales) Tietsort, age 90, of Battle Creek, Iowa, passed away on Sunday, July 19, 2020, at the Willow Dale Wellness Village of Battle Creek, Iowa.

A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, July 24, 2020, at 10:30 a.m., at the First Presbyterian Church of Battle Creek, Iowa. Reverend Kevin J. Freese will officiate. Committal Services will follow in the Mount Hope Cemetery of Battle Creek, Iowa.  Visitation will be held on Thursday July 23, 2020, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Battle Creek, Iowa. The Christensen - Van Houten Funeral Home of Battle Creek, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online www.christensenvanhouten.com.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, masks are strongly encourage and social distancing rules will apply.  

LaVohn Alice “Bonnie” (Sales) Tietsort, the daughter of Louis Arthur and Margaret Carolina (Rief) Sales was born on August 10, 1929. She grew up on the island between Onawa, IA and Decatur, NE, until the age of 11 when her family relocated to Woodbine, IA and then to a farm south of Battle Creek, IA.

Bonnie met the love of her life Lyle Raymond “Dutch” Tietsort and the couple were united in marriage on January 17, 1947, at Aunt Nellie’s house in Omaha, NE. The couple farmed around the Woodbine, Ida Grove, and Salix area before moving to California in 1955. While there, Bonnie kept herself busy raising her children and selling Avon. They relocated back to the Woodbine area in 1958 where they farmed until they bought their own farm in 1962 south of Battle Creek.

In 1992, Bonnie took over the store known as Next to New that her two daughters had started.  All of their wonderful customers remember the store in Ida Grove and Bonnie’s friendly face peeking from behind the counter. This store made many families lives easier offering slightly used furniture and clothing.  Not only did it help the residents of Ida Grove and the surrounding areas, but Bonnie’s family made many fond memories. From attending auctions, taking consignments, to a trip out to eat after a long day, Bonnie continued operating Next to New until she retired and closed its doors.

After 61 years together, Dutch passed away in 2008. The farm got quiet and Bonnie looked forward to her dear friend Irene Van Houten coming out to take the girls to the casino. These two remained steadfast friends until Irene’s passing in 2017.

In her younger years Bonnie enjoyed square dancing with Dutch and they were members of the Danbury Dancers for many years. An accomplished seamstress, Bonnie handmade many of the couples matching square dancing outfits. She also liked camping, road trips, tending to her flowers, playing cards, sewing, making fleece blankets, bundling garden produce, and watching her favorite T.V. shows: Baggage, Family Feud and Days of Our Lives.

Bonnie was her grandchildren’s biggest fan. She relished in attending all of their activities and continued to enjoy attending her great-grandchildren’s activities when she was able. Family was everything to Bonnie and she loved a full house. She would throw together a big pot of noodles, a chocolate cake, and put the coffee pot on in no time if she heard word that company would be stopping in. Oh, don’t forget those coffee tins full of oatmeal chocolate chip cookies and warm buns straight from the oven.

Bonnie was proof that true unconditional love, compassion, and devoted friendship could come in small sizes. She always used to kid around by saying “I just a little old lady”. Well little old lady you will be dearly missed.

Left to cherish her memory are her children Lyle (Sue) Tietsort, Jr. of Irwin, IA, Beverly (Al) Loof of Jefferson, SD, Kenny (Sherry) Tietsort of Battle Creek, IA and Debbie (Doug) Van Houten of Battle Creek, IA; 13 grandchildren and 4 step-grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren and 10 step great-grandchildren; 6 great-great grandchildren and 1 step great-great grandchild; brother Lou Dale Sales of Battle Creek, IA; numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and a host of friends.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents Louis and Margaret Sales; husband Lyle “Dutch” Tietsort; sisters Waunitta (Ormand “Shot”) Kinning, Kathern “Katie” Kessler, Ina (Duane) Maxwell and Margaret “Midge” (Harold) Austin; brother Kenneth Sales; and nephew Butch Kinning.