Tietjen

Leah Marie (Zapalac) Tietjen, 71, of Rutersville, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021.

Leah was born in La Grange on Nov. 21, 1949, the daughter of Lester “Buddy” Zapalac and Florice (Roberts) Zapalac. She married Larry Tietjen on Aug. 25, 1973 in La Grange.

After being employed for many years for her parents at The La Grange Journal newspaper, Leah began work with her husband at the fourth generation, family-owned Tietjen’s, Inc. in Rutersville.

Leah was a selfless, loving, kind-hearted, and gifted person who enjoyed cooking and baking for her family. She was also a talented artist and a person who truly enjoyed the simple things in life and understood what really mattered.

She is survived by her husband, Larry Tietjen, of 48 years; daughter, Holli Tietjen-Hale and husband Tuffy; son, Chad Tietjen, all of La Grange; sister, Lestell Villanueva and husband Leroy of Richmond; sister-in-law, Helen Fleck and husband Jerry of Smithville; two grandchildren, Emily Tietjen of Caldwell and Jordan Parks of Seguin; seven nieces and nephews, Rebekah Watson, Tammy Campion, Vicki Janda, Wendy Janda, Sherri Janda, Jonathan Zapalac, and Ashten Frazier.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and two brothers, Johnny Zapalac and Lester (Bubba) Zapalac, Jr.

Visitation was held on Friday, Oct. 8, 2021 from 2 to 7 p.m. at Koenig-Belvill Funeral Home & Cremations. Family received friends from 5 to 7 p.m.

Funeral services were held at St. John Lutheran Church, 5743 TX 159, in the Rutersville community beginning at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021. Burial followed at the Rutersville Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Gardenia E. Janssen Animal Shelter, 240 Svoboda Lane, La Grange, TX 78945 or to a charity of one’s choice.

Family and friends can view and sign the guestbook online at www.lagrangefunerals.com.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Koenig - Belvill Funeral Home & Cremations in La Grange.