Ty Walter Gietzen

Funeral Mass for Ty Walter Gietzen, infant son of Jared and Megan (Johns) Gietzen, will be 10:00 am Thursday, December 21, 2023 at Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Dickinson with Monsignor Thomas Richter and Father Gary Benz concelebrating. Entombment will follow at the Dickinson Mausoleum.

Visitation for Ty will be 5:00 – 6:00 pm Wednesday, December 20, 2023 at Stevenson Funeral Home with a prayer service taking place at 6:00 pm.

Ty Walter Gietzen passed peacefully from the loving arms of his mother into the saving arms of Jesus Christ on Thursday, December 14, 2023, following a courageous five-and-a-half-month journey on Earth.

Ty was born June 30, 2023, to his parents Megan and Jared, in Dickinson, North Dakota. While Ty’s sisters eagerly waited for their chance to care for “baby brother” at home, they finally got their wish on August 21, 2023, after Ty’s nearly two-month NICU stay in Bismarck and Fargo concluded with a medical flight back to Dickinson. For the 115 days that followed, Ty spent every beautiful moment of his life under the care of his loving family in the comfort of home.

Ty cherished every snuggle and interaction with his sisters, parents, grandparents, and family. Once he was stable enough to hold regularly, his body and personality grew quickly. Ty became strong enough to share his heartwarming smile and loved holding hands with everyone.

During his short life, Ty made a lasting impression on each and every person that knew his name. From the nurses and professionals that cared for Ty for so many weeks to the countless number of family, friends, and followers who prayed for Ty and supported his cause every day of his life, Ty’s beautiful soul made an extraordinary impact that will never be forgotten.

Ty is survived by his parents, Megan and Jared Gietzen of Dickinson; sisters Brooke and Shay; grandparents Todd and Christine Johns of Dickinson; grandparents Keith and Sherrie Gietzen of Glen Ullin; great-grandmother Charlene Thomas; aunts and uncles: Nicole and Eric Kittelson, Janell and John Morman, and Jenny (Zach) Gietzen; first cousins Jalyn & Harper Kittelson and Hadley & Lane Morman; along with countless more extended family.

Ty is preceded in death by his great-grandparents Walter and Theresa Gietzen, great-grandfather Chester Miller; great-grandparents Wally and Joanne Olfert; and great-grandparents Robert and Bobbie Johns.

In lieu of flowers, Ty’s family encourages donations made in Ty’s memory to the Children’s Miracle Network, Ronald McDonald House of North Dakota, the Make-a-Wish Foundation, or another children’s charity of your choice.