She excelled in school throughout her life and graduated in January 1951 from Mastbaum High School as a secretary. She was also taught a wonderful work ethic by her hardworking parents, Joseph and Marie. Her first job was at G.C. Murphy’s in Wildwood, New Jersey when she was just 15 years old. She was a part of the Navy Waves from 1952 to 1956. She also spent time working at A.J. Holmes Bible Company and Bell Telephone Co. during her time in Philadelphia.
Josephine was married in the Faith Lutheran Church in May 1953 to Augustus Tietbohl. He was a pastor and served Faith Lutheran Church for 3 years. After Augustus received a call to serve St. John’s Lutheran Church in Nanticoke, PA they moved in June 1954. They were active in all aspects of church life; Josephine taught Sunday School and VBS and was active in the choir and Ladies Aid. She worked beside her husband to love the people and build up the church.
A son was born to the couple in January 1956, Mark Alan Tietbohl, with a daughter Diane Ellen Tietbohl in May 1961. In 1962 a call came from New Jerusalem Lutheran Church in Bethlehem, PA, where they served until Augustus retired in 1990. Then in September 1964 another son, Joel Andrew, was born.
In 2004, Josephine and Augustus moved to Luther Acres Retirement Community and remained there until 2008 when they moved to Maricopa, AZ to help with the grandchildren after their daughter’s death. They stayed in Arizona until 2020 when all the grandchildren grew up, got married, and moved away. Josephine and Augustus then decided to move to Lincoln across the street from their grandson Joshua and his wife Kim and children. They became members of Trinity Lutheran Church and were fond of the beautiful new area and wonderful neighbors who became best friends, especially Arlene Scharf, who was always there for her and went above and beyond to help. She also had great appreciation for their church, Pastor, and members who were always there for them. Josephine always thanked God for bringing their family to Lincoln.
Josephine is survived by her son, Mark and his wife Deb, their grandchildren; Michael and wife Ana, Amy and husband Jon, Joshua and wife Kim, Laura, and Lisa. Their great grandchildren; Zachary, Matteo, Luna, Richard, Juliana, Joseph, Natalie, Roy, Ethan, Donovan, Cannon, Shaylin, Nala, and Tatum. She is also survived by her niece, Cheryl and Tim Bodmon and family, brother-in-law William Fenstermacher, Sandy and family, and her son-in-law Arden Geier.
Josephine is preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Marie, her loving husband, Augustus V. Tietbohl, her children Joel Andrew and Diane Ellen, and her sister Marie Fenstermacher Dugon.
Funeral Services will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church (724 S 12th St) on Tuesday, October 13th, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. with visitation starting one hour prior to the service. Graveside services will follow at 2:30 p.m. at Omaha National Cemetery.