Tieszen Memorial Home in Marion, SD

Pros

• They take good care of residents.
• Tieszen Memorial Home is very nice and has very friendly people.
• The home is a wonderful place to stay, and the father-in-law has been there for six months.
• The experience was very nice, and the place itself was clean, modern and sunny.
• Their staff members were friendly and went above and beyond.
• The home offers three meals a day, big-screen TV, a chapel with church services, games, and organized activities for residents each day.
• They have puzzles, dominoes, board games, and all kinds of entertainment.
• They have a library and a beauty shop, and residents can get haircuts there.
• The home itself and the staff are great.
• The care given to residents has been nothing but the best, and residents enjoy living there.

Cons

• They would give this place zero stars after a six-week nightmare of mistreatment that left their grandmother delirious.
• They say the staff ignored the grandmother’s sleep deprivation and nutrition.
• They allege a doctor prescribed medications to make her more “compliant” despite her confusion.
• They claim the staff removed her cell phone and disconnected her room phone, and scolded her for “telling on” them.
• They describe the director of nursing as incompetent and unapproachable, in the role because of nepotism.

Review

This community is best suited for families seeking a warm, social, all-in-one option where residents can settle into a lively daily rhythm. Tieszen Memorial Home shines for those who value a well-kept campus, friendly staff, and a straightforward mix of assisted living and on-site amenities. It works well for residents who benefit from structured activities, three meals a day, regular entertainment, a chapel for services, and easy access to services like a beauty shop, a library, and transportation to medical appointments. For seniors who want a sense of community, personal attention from caregivers, and a convenient, campus-style living arrangement, this is a credible, dependable fit.

Those who may want to consider alternatives include families prioritizing ironclad leadership, transparent communication, and rigorous accountability. Several reviews flag concerns about the nursing leadership and staff responsiveness, suggesting questions about who is guiding care on any given shift. Prospective residents who require highly consistent medical oversight, regular communication with family, or a care approach free from past leadership questions should compare options closely. Additionally, the facility’s location, not being adjacent to a hospital, can be meaningful for families who prioritize very rapid access to acute care in an emergency and may want a closer medical hub.

The strongest positives here are tangible and consistent: a clean, modern environment, approachable staff, and a robust menu of daily activities that keep residents engaged. Families report care delivered in a supportive, respectful manner, with staff often going “above and beyond.” The social calendar, games, puzzles, library visits, organized activities, and community church services, creates a sense of belonging that helps residents maintain routine and purpose. Practical details matter too: a resident-centered care model in the assisted living setting, accessible transportation, and on-site conveniences such as a beauty shop and the ability to receive visitors without bureaucratic friction. These strengths help soften the impact of other, more volatile concerns.

On the risk side, the most serious notes center on leadership and past treatment concerns. A few accounts recount experiences from years back involving alleged mistreatment and poor communication with family, including an instance where care decisions and doctor involvement appeared mismanaged. A recurring thread is dissatisfaction with the director of nursing’s engagement and responsiveness, plus headlines about turnover that raise questions about consistency of care. While multiple reviews praise the current environment, these cautionary voices suggest that family members should not assume everything is flawless and should directly evaluate current leadership’s approach to care planning, incident reporting, and family updates.

The facility’s practical downsides are modest but real: it is not right next to a hospital, which can be a drawback for families who want immediate, nearby access to acute care; and reputational notes about leadership can color impressions, even when day-to-day caregiving appears solid. For memory-impacted residents, the setting provides daily structure and medications management, but families should verify the level of cognitive support available and how care plans adapt to changing needs. The attached nursing home and range of living options do offer continuity of care, but the overall experience hinges on current administration and frontline staffing, areas where questions are most warranted before committing.

Bottom line: this is a capable, welcoming choice for families who prize a social, activity-rich environment and reliable daily care, with a clear expectation of respectful treatment from staff. It is less ideal for families requiring impeccable, consistently proactive leadership and unambiguous, transparent communication, or for those whose priority is proximity to a hospital. Prospective residents should insist on meeting the director of nursing, request recent care plans and incident reports, and tour both the assisted living wings and the connected nursing facility. Compare with Bridgewater and similar communities to gauge which environment best aligns with risk tolerance, medical oversight expectations, and the desired pace of daily life.

The town of Marion, South Dakota offers a quiet and peaceful environment that may be appealing for seniors looking to retire in a serene location. With several places of worship nearby, such as the Catholic Pastorial Center and the Emmanuel Presbyterian Church, residents can find spiritual fulfillment. The community also boasts a few restaurants like Bud's Tavern and Katie's Malt Shop & Restaurant for social gatherings and dining out. In terms of healthcare, there are pharmacies like Getskow Pharmacy and Pioneer Memorial Hospital & Health Services within close proximity for convenient access to medical services. Additionally, the town is surrounded by parks like Parker Playground and Lake Vermillion Recreation Area, providing opportunities for outdoor activities and leisurely walks. Overall, Marion offers a tranquil setting with essential amenities for senior living.

Places of Worship

• Catholic Pastorial Center (0 miles)
• BethShalomSD (0 miles)
• Emmanuel Presbyterian Church (0.4 miles)
• First Church Of God (0.5 miles)
• First Church Of God (0.8 miles)
• Bethesda Mennonite Church (3.7 miles)
• First Presbyterian Church Office (4.6 miles)

Restaurants

• Bud's Tavern (0.3 miles)
• Katie's Malt Shop & Restaurant (0.3 miles)
• Jake's Place (4.6 miles)
• Kelley's Bar (6.2 miles)
• Brandy's Custom Cakery (6.3 miles)
• T J Kerners Restaurant (6.3 miles)
• Subway (9.9 miles)

Pharmacies

• Getskow Pharmacy (0.4 miles)
• Parker Pharmacy (6.3 miles)
• Heritage Pharmacy (9.9 miles)
• Heritage Pharmacy (15 miles)
• Lewis Family Drug Lennox (18.9 miles)
• Lewis Drug (19.1 miles)
• Lewis Family Drug Viborg (19.7 miles)

Parks

• Parker Playground (5.9 miles)
• Lake Vermillion Recreation Area (12.1 miles)
• Lake Vermillion (12.2 miles)
• Porter Sculpture Park (19.2 miles)

Hospitals

• Pioneer Memorial Hospital & Health Services (6.4 miles)
• Freeman Regional Health Services (10.4 miles)
• Freeman Medical Center - Cah (10.4 miles)
• Avera Salem Family Medical Clinic (21.1 miles)

Transportation

• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (10 miles)
• Travis Taxidermy (17.8 miles)

Theaters

• Lund Theatre (19.7 miles)

Physicians

• Salem Eye Clinic (21.1 miles)