Jerry A. Tilden died Friday, July 31, 2015 at his home in Montevideo at the age of 73.
Memorial services will be held on Thursday, August 6, 2015 at 1:30 PM at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Montevideo with Pastor Gwen Bohlke officiating.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 5, 2015 from 5-7 PM at Anderson-TeBeest Funeral Home in Montevideo.
Jerry A Tilden was born to Jack and Genevieve (Hawkins) Tilden on January 22, 1942, in Sioux Falls, SD -- the oldest of six siblings. He was educated in Sioux Falls, graduating in 1959 from Washington High School. A short stint at Morrells Packing Plant where his father and uncles had worked for many years led him to the realization that a career as a meat cutter was not for him. This was followed by a year in a shoe repair shop followed by Barber School in Sioux City, Iowa. He spent 9 years as a barber, owning his own shop in Sioux Falls, before getting into the sales business, first as a representative for Mobil Oil Co. leaving Sioux Falls for Marshall, MN in 1970 and then to Montevideo in 1973 where he made his home for the remainder of his life.
He was married in Sioux Falls in November of 1963 to Dixie (Utesch) Tilden. To this union were born two children, Bret Allen in 1966 and Julie Ann in 1969. The family's move to Marshall, MN in 1970 and then to Montevideo, MN in 1973 led to a career selling Real Estate for Kuhlmann & Smith from 1975 to 1987, and in his own agency from 1987 to 1989. From 1989 to 2005, he worked as a salesperson for Orion Enterprises (a division of Schwan's Foods) setting up Hot Stuff Pizza Franchise Shops - traveling the upper tier of states. Following a heart problem in January of 2005, he retired from Orion and once again put on his real estate hat with his Kuhlmann family which was now known as Kuhlmann Real Estate. His time in Montevideo was filled with community volunteerism as he served on many boards as a member and often as the President.
Montevideo Boy Scout Leader
Montevideo JC's - President
Minnesota Jaycees's – District Vice President
Montevideo Area Chamber of Commerce - President
Brookside Manor (now Brookside Senior Living) - Board Chairman
Minnesota Master Gardeners - State Board member
Montevideo Fiesta Flora Garden Club - President
Montevideo Park Board - Member
Montevideo Noon Lions Club - Member
Montevideo Community Playground - Co-Chairman
Chippewa County Historical Society Foundation Board - President
Montevideo Fiesta - Co-Chairman (with Dixie) in 1979
Montevideo Fiesta Parade - Co-Chairman (with Dixie) in 1978
West Central Research & Outreach Center Board of Advisors
Survivors include his wife, Dixie Lee (Utesch) Tilden; Two children, Bret Allen (Angela) Tilden of Montevideo, MN and Julie Ann (Keith) Gustafson of Dayton, MN; Eight grandchildren, Brittany, Sarah & Justin Tilden, Ashley, Taylor & Kaylee Gustafson, and Chelsea & Jaden Maroney. Four brothers, Dennis (Charlotte), Larry (Jolene), Randy (Sue) & Terry (Joy) and one sister Roxann (Edward) Zenobi; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by parents Jack and Genevieve (Hawkins) Tilden.
Life's Adventures:
Archery - 2 time state instinctive champion in state of South Dakota (1961-62)
Fishing (any bass lake - anytime)
Gardening (never met a flower he didn't like and tried to propagate)
Volunteerism (always willing to go the extra mile to make a group viable & productive)
In lieu of flowers, memorials should be directed to the Chippewa County Historical Society’s “Founder’s Fund”