Nelda Lorraine Tietjen

Nelda Tietjen, 83, of Ramah, New Mexico, passed away on April 6, 2026, in Farmington, New Mexico. She was born on March 10, 1943, in Gallup, New Mexico, to Leon Lambson and Hilda Loftin Lambson.

Nelda was a talented musician, homemaker, substitute teacher, and, alongside her husband Jerry, was self-employed. She loved playing the piano and singing, sharing her musical talents both in a band and at church. She also served as a music leader in the church Primary. Nelda enjoyed creating and wearing jewelry, but her greatest passion was collecting and displaying nativities, she had a cherished collection of over 140 sets.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Leon and Hilda Lambson, and her grandparents, Frank Bates Lambson, Anna Laura Mangum Lambson, Hayden Seth Loftin, and Laura Eugenia Medlock Loftin.

Nelda is survived by her husband, Jeryl Wayne Tietjen; her sons, Ryan Lee Tietjen and Flint Douglas Tietjen (Michelle Murray Tietjen); her daughter, Maryah Lynn Tietjen Maki (Brian Maki); her brother, Hayden Leon Lambson; and her sister, Laura Jean Lambson Overman. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Jasmine Tietjen, Rashawn Tietjen, Kendrick Tietjen, Christopher Maki, Cole Tietjen, Hunter Tietjen, and Nick Tietjen.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, April 10, 2026, at 12:15 p.m. at the Ramah Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, followed by a funeral service at 1:00 p.m., officiated by David Gibbons. Interment will take place at 2:30 p.m. at the Ramah Cemetery. A luncheon will follow at 3:00 p.m. at the Ramah Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Serving as pallbearers are Flint Tietjen, Brian Maki, Cole Tietjen, Christopher Maki, Jonathan Maki, and Hayden Lambson. Honorary pallbearers are Ryan Tietjen, Rashawn Tietjen, Kendrick Tietjen, and Nick Tietjen.