Upon being selected to the St. Ambrose Board of Directors in late 1971, Margaret Tiedemann was asked to supply some biographical information for the university's files. She responded typically, with barely the simple facts of her life.
On manila-yellow W.G. Block stationery, she provided her place of birth - Delmar, Iowa - and a brief sketch of the story that would become locally famous: how she took a job doing secretarial work for the company within days of graduating from high school, only to rise to the position of assistant president and corporate secretary as one of the first female executives in the construction industry.
But it is the letter's last paragraph that captures one's attention - and altogether captures what made Margaret Tiedemann so special. "You asked about a hobby," she writes. "I have none except helping the elderly and youth."
When she passed away Sept. 15, 2007, it was this dedication that the Ambrose community celebrated, beyond the other noteworthy "firsts" Mrs. Tiedemann achieved, including being the first woman to serve as a voting member of the university's board of directors.
Fairly private in their philanthropy, Margaret and her husband, Bud, who died in 1998, were known for their ability to work together for a common cause. The Tiedemanns had no children of their own. And so they "adopted" many community interests, among them the university: Mrs. Tiedemann's gift of more than $1 million to Ambrose upon her death brings Tiedemanns' lifetime giving to almost $2 million.
"What's extraordinary is that, while they lived comfortably, Margaret and Bud Tiedemann were not what some would typically define as wealthy," say Steve Goebel, assistant to the president at St. Ambrose. "That's what makes their support of Ambrose so special."
In addition to the honorary doctorate, Margaret, as well as Bud, held honorary alumni status, and they were charter members of St. Ambrose's Heritage Roll of Honor. In 2001, the university dedicated Tiedemann Hall in recognition of the couple's support of St. Ambrose over the decades.
"St. Ambrose is so fortunate to be recipient of Margaret and Bud's generosity of treasure and talent and spirit," Goebel says. "They'll be greatly missed."
-J. O'Donnell
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