Keith John Tiede

Keith John Charles Tiede, affectionately known as Sonny to his family and friends, passed away on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at the age of 90. He was the beloved husband of Nancy Tiede for 64 years, with their 65th anniversary approaching on June 11, 2025.

Keith was a proud father to two daughters Kelly (and life partner - Arnold Saglie), and Leslie (and son-in-law Craig Leuschner). He was a loving grandfather to three grandchildren - Christian, Michael-Michelle, and step-grandson Corey. Keith was predeceased by his siblings Jacklyn (Tiede) Culp, Norman, Garry, Glenn and Terry. He is survived by his brother John Tiede and sister-in-law Carol Tiede, as well as twenty nieces and nephews on the Tiede side and many more on the in-laws' side.

Keith's amazing long life was marked by his remarkable achievements and unwavering dedication to his family and community.

Navy Service

He joined the Navy right out of high school, serving with honor and pride. Keith's service began at USNTC San Diego in November 1953, followed by machinist training at Great Lakes Training Center. He transported troops aboard the USS General Mann during the Korean conflict, cherishing many memories of defending his country and going on maneuvers in the Pacific. In 1955, Keith was stationed at Pearl Harbor on the USS Renshaw 499, a period he remembered fondly.

Career Journey

Keith's career journey was as diverse as his talents. After the Navy, he spent a year in California, then came back to Seattle and began working at Boeing. However, his true passion lay in sales and entrepreneurship. To immerse himself in the community and become comfortable interacting with people, Keith took a job as a milkman while simultaneously taking a course at Sales Training Institute (STI). This gave him the foundation to achieve his goal in becoming self-employed as an insurance agent and property investor, the latter skill he learned from his grandfather John Tiede, whom he admirably spoke about often.

Talents and Artistic Abilities

Beyond his military service and career, Keith was a man of many talents. Whether electrical work, plumbing, foundation, roofing, wood crafting, mechanics, or other - there was truly nothing he couldn't do. Keith's artistic abilities were also extraordinary. He could sketch portraits of his wife with such precision that they mirrored her high school photograph in every detail. He could carve intricate figures from wood or create inventions that should have been patented (like hidden compartments in planter boxes as safes - that the family did later see sold elsewhere, many years after Keith made his own).

One of the many cherished structures remembered by his daughters was a playhouse he built for them, designed in the style of a Japanese pagoda. This beautiful creation was built at one of their homes in the west hill of Kent, WA, complete with a bridge over a koi pond that ran through the meticulously landscaped backyard.

Community Contributions

Keith's ingenuity and dedication led to the creation and ownership of a water system in Littlerock, WA, which continues to serve the community to this day. His deep love for Littlerock was evident in his numerous contributions. One particularly heartfelt act was replacing the cross on the local church that had fallen off due to time. Keith and his brother Terry undertook this task quietly in the evening, wanting no recognition for their efforts.

Surviving Stroke and Resilience

Keith's resilience was truly remarkable; after surviving a cerebral hemorrhage (brain aneurysm) at the age of 42, he defied all expectations and lived another 48 years, with brain injury and aphasia. His son-in-law Craig often remarks, "Keith is the smartest man I know, and that's after a stroke." Having known Keith only after his stroke, Craig wondered what his brilliance must have been like before.

Keith possessed an engineering mind and a deep fascination with degrees and trigonometry. He always carried an engineering booklet of trigonometry tables in his shirt pocket, often saying, "Dee-grees are everywhere, can't you see them? They're all around." His mind worked in angles and numbers, and he couldn't imagine others not seeing the world the same way.

Keith's legacy of love, service, and ingenuity will forever be remembered by his family, friends, and the community he cherished.

A viewing is scheduled for Thursday, May 1 at Mills and Mills Funeral Home for private final goodbyes. Keith will be laid to rest at Grand Mound Cemetery next to his parents, Ella and Jack Tiede, on Thursday, May 8 at 10:00 AM with a private gathering of immediate family. A celebration of life and military farewell will be held on Sunday, July 13, 2025, during the Tiede Family Reunion.