Kenneth Andrew Tidyman, 69, passed away with family by his side on May 19, 2023 after a fight with cancer.

He was born in McCook on Oct. 6, 1953 to Oscar and Helen (Evans) Tidyman. He was the youngest of eight children and was raised in a four-room home in Northeast Hayes County.

Kenneth attended Hayes Center High School, was a Charter Member to start the Hayes Center FFA Chapter program, serving as reporter and working for his Uncle Lawrence Walker after school. After High School, Kenneth moved to Tryon where he meet Jerri Jean Shimmon.

On May 14, 1978, the two were married and on Feb. 17, 1980, Kent Dwayne Tidyman, was born. On April 20, 1982, Jerri, Kent, and Helen were going to town when their pickup was stuck by another vehicle on the Maywood-Hayes Center Road and both Jerri and Helen were killed; Kent was the lone survivor of the accident.

On April 27, 1985, Kenneth married Mary Ellen Etl-Bloom in a small family and friend ceremony in Ringgold. Mary had two children from previous marriages – Jennifer Bledsoe and Rob Bloom- whom Kenneth raised as his own.

The couple moved the blended family back to the Tidyman ranch in Maywood. On Aug. 19, 1986, a son was born, Kelly Evan Tidyman, making a family of six.

The end of November 1987, Kenneth started working as a Ranch Forman for Kenneth and Virginia Meyer in Wellfleet. Kenneth would remain foreman until the death of Virginia in February of 2015. The ranch changed hands to Virginia’s daughter and son-in-law, Kelly and Rick Sexton, who he continued working for until he was no longer able in February of 2023.

Kenneth was a character, with a million one-liners; words of cowboy “wisdom”, loved to get a rise out of people and make them chuckle. He truly put family first, always the first to lend a helping hand and would often tell people “If I knew how much fun grandkids were, I would have had them first.” His first of the month phone calls will be truly missed by all with his famous first line “I haven’t heard from you all month!” Kenneth would adamantly dispute his age in this obituary, as he been “nineteen” since 1972.

Those left to celebrate his life include his wife, Mary Tidyman of rural Maywood; children, Jennifer (Brad(his favorite son in law)) Friehe of Culbertson; Kent (Nikki) Tidyman of Edison; Rob (Kristen) Bloom of Black River, N.Y.; Kelly (Taylor) Tidyman of Valentine. Grandfather to twelve, Alexis (Tyler) Ebersol, Chessney (Marcas) Eckhardt; Chyanne Friehe; Abbigail Bloom; Chayse Friehe; Kaydence and Blake Cox; Ryleigh Tidyman; Cooper Tidyman; James Bloom; Levi Tidyman; Kynnleigh Tidyman and Kolt Tidyman and one great grandchild, Jackson Ebersol. Sister Naomi Ruppert; Donna (Don) Behnke; Bethal Stewart; Holly (Alvin) Gwin. Brothers William Tidyman and Dean (Lori) Tidyman. In laws Mike (Paula) Etl, Jane (Tom) Ware; John Etl and Tom Etl. As well as numerous nephews, nieces, extended family members and friends. 

Kenneth is preceded in death by his parents Oscar and Helen Tidyman; sister and bother-in-law Gene (Carol) Tatman; brother in laws Homer Ruppert and Tom Stewart; and sister in laws Marlene Tidyman and Denise Etl.

Graveside services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday May 31 at Maywood Cemetery with Pastor John Sexson officiating. Register book signing will be noon-5 p.m. Tuesday, May 30 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home.

Online condolences and live stream of the service will be at adamsswanson.com.

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