Fred A. Tidemann

Fred Ardell Tidemann, age 73, of Rosendale, WI, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at Aurora Zilber Family Hospice, Wauwatosa, WI with his family by his side. He was a fighter, battling cancer with a tenacious spirit and an unwillingness to surrender his dignity to the end.

Fred’s love of dairy cattle was lifelong. He was born on April 22, 1952, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, son of Elroy and Dorothy (Peterson) Tidemann. Growing up on his family’s Holstein dairy farm in Baltic, South Dakota, Fred was heavily involved in both 4-H and FFA. Fred earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in dairy production at South Dakota State University. At SDSU, Fred was an active member/coach of the SDSU Dairy Cattle Judging team and a proud member of the FarmHouse fraternity. For 36 years, Fred worked as a dairy cattle geneticist for Alta Genetics until his retirement in 2019. He knew every country road and farm in his east central Wisconsin region. Fred loved applying his knowledge to help farm families succeed, almost as much as he loved hearing their stories.

Fred was a devoted husband and proud father. He married his best friend, Shelley, on November 30, 1985, in Pipestone, Minnesota – sharing 40 wonderful years of life and love together. After moving to Wisconsin in 1988 and the birth of his two sons, Krieg and Cole, Fred was involved with coaching several youth sports teams, shared his love of agriculture by guiding his kids’ dairy and sheep 4-H projects, and made sure they were not late for church on Sunday.

Second only to his family, Fred was a sports lover. His greatest pastime was golf, hitting the green from anywhere with his trusty 7 wood and connecting with his best friends. As a fan, Fred loved watching the SDSU Jackrabbits, Milwaukee Brewers, and Green Bay Packers – in that order – from the comfort of his favorite chair. Whether playing or watching, sports connected Fred to those that he loved, both family and friends.

In a world where so many like to talk, Fred – as a good Norwegian – loved to listen. His listening was a sign of both his deep care for others and his knack for finding the perfect moment to insert a joke. He had a true gift in striking up conversations with strangers anywhere he went and connecting with their stories.

Fred is survived by his wife, Michelle “Shelley” Tidemann; two sons, Krieg (Raghav) Tidemann and Cole (Mikayla) Tidemann; four siblings, Mary Ann Sittig, Melva Lee Hilmoe, Larry (Gail) Tidemann, and Duane Tidemann; mother-in-law, Jean Moeller; and in-laws, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elroy and Dorothy Tidemann; and his father-in-law, Gordon Moeller.

Visitation for Fred will be held from 9:00 am until 11:00 am on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at Grace Lutheran Church, 430 W Griswold St, Ripon, WI 54971.

A memorial service for Fred will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at Grace Lutheran Church in Ripon, with Rev. Clay R. Salmela officiating. You may view a livestream of the service at 11:00 am by visiting this link LIVESTREAM. Inurnment will be held at Pioneer Cemetery in Baltic, SD at a later date. Memorials in Fred’s name may be given to the South Dakota State University Foundation, 815 Medary Ave, Brookings, SD 57006, directed to either the Dairy Cattle Judging Team or FarmHouse fraternity, or to Grace Lutheran Church, 430 W Griswold St, Ripon, WI 54971.