Tillie Stiehr 1929-2022 Tillie ….
Tillie Stiehr 1929-2022
Tillie Stiehr born on April 14, 1929, passed peacefully in her sleep on Aug.
31 at the age of 93 in Long Beach, California.
Tillie is survived by her sister Phyllis Smith, as well as her sons Wayne and Mark Stiehr. Tillie lost her twin sister Lillie in infancy due to pneumonia. She was born in Washington, Michigan, in the Stone Bar, an establishment her parents Gertrude “Jesty” and Frank Rogala founded and which still is in business today. She used to proclaim, “I was born in a bar!” A resident of Romeo, Michigan, one of her long-term positions was at Firestone Tire. Tillie moved to California in 1978, where she enjoyed her position at Strollee, a baby furniture company, and WR Grace among others. Tillie remained lifelong friends with many of her work acquaintances.
After retiring, Tillie made a trip with her sister Phyllis to Poland, where she connected with relatives of the Rogala family (Rogala was Tillie’s maiden name). Tillie retired to Leisure World, Seal Beach, where she became Queen Mother of the Magic Red Hats for many years. She became “Hugger” the Clown with a Leisure World social “clown” group. Tillie got a further taste of show biz in Leisure World’s Theater Club where, as well as other roles, with a sparkle in her eye, she was a red-haired
Santa’s helper. Tillie enjoyed collecting dolls, and she named them all and was surrounded by them in her home. Tillie appeared in many music videos with her nephew, singer/producer Frank Rogala. Tillie’s final scene-stealing appearances were made at the age of 90 in the award-winning music video “Oo La La” with
Frank’s Smash Mob. Tillie enjoyed lunches with the Leisure World Traveling Tigers and at the Community Karaoke Club, where she was known to tip the other performers.
Tillie also enjoyed monthly dinners, dances, and annual luau with the Filipino American Club of Leisure World. Socially active, Tillie enjoyed attending shows, dances, and parties of many groups as well as cruises (such as one along the California coast from San Francisco to San Diego that hit all the major attractions).
Tillie was Polish Catholic and a member of the Holy Family Catholic Church where she felt a deep connection with the Holy Spirit.
–paid obituary
