Art Tiedtke, 96, died Feb. 17, 2006, in Fort Worth, Texas.

He was born July 22, 1909, in Dodge City, the son of German immigrants Wilhelm and Anna Meister Tiedtke. After his father's death in 1915, he moved to Hutchinson with his mother and siblings, where he lived the majority of his life. At the age of 15, he began learning the plastering trade and soon became a journeyman craftsman, later founding Tiedtke Lathing and Plastering Company.

He belonged to Eastwood Church of Christ, where he was very active, one of the youngest to be named Deacon and then Elder, a position instrumental in establishing what is now Eastwood Church of Christ.

At the age of 16, he met his future wife, Helen Dale, at the Church of Christ where they married Dec. 25, 1927, in Hutchinson. She died Oct. 1, 2004, after 77 years of marriage.

Survivors include: a son, Bill Tiedtke and wife Judy, Fort Worth, Texas; four grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a son, Gary; a daughter, Patricia Tiedtke; nine siblings; a grandson; and a great-grandson.

Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Eastwood Church of Christ, with Duane Eggleston and Harold Nelson presiding. Friends may sign the book from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m. at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, Hutchinson.

Memorials, in lieu of flowers may be sent to the Art and Helen Tiedtke Scholarship Endowment Fund, in care of Eastwood Church of Christ, 2500 North Plum, Hutchinson, KS 67502. Personal condolences may be sent to www.elliottmortuary.com.