Tilgner, Thomas C. 1932-2015

TILGNER, COOPER, SWANSON

Posted By: Marjorie Brunsting (email)
Date: 10/26/2015 at 15:43:00

Hawarden, Iowa: Thomas Tilgner, 83, of Hawarden died Monday, October 19, 2015 at the Hillcrest Healthcare Center. Visitation will begin at noon with family present from 6:00-7:30 p.m., Sunday, November 1, 2015 at Porter Funeral Home in Hawarden. A prayer service will follow at 7:30 p.m. Memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, November 2, 2015 at the United Methodist Church in Hawarden with Rev. Barb Joy officiating. Burial will follow at Grace Hill Cemetery in Hawarden. Condolences for the family may be left online at www.porterfuneralhomes.com. The family prefers memorial be given to the West Sioux Educational Foundation.

Thomas Cooper Tilgner was born February 28, 1932 in Hawarden, Iowa, the son of John and Vesta (Cooper) Tilgner. Tom graduated from the Hawarden High School in May 1950 and in 1954 earned an undergraduate degree in business from the University of Iowa. At Iowa he earned a freshman numeral (letter) in baseball and was in R.O.T.C. Upon graduation, Tom honorably served in the United States Air Force for three years where he was stationed in England as a 2nd Lieutenant. Tom was married to Eileen Swanson and adopted her two boys, Kory and Tracy. Eileen died February 18, 1962.

Tom was later united in marriage to Carmen Hess on June 20, 1963. Together they made their home in Hawarden where Tom and Carmen owned and operated the Ben Franklin variety store. He was active in the community and held leadership positions over the years in Rotary and the Chamber of Commerce. He was on the board of directors of Sioux Empire Junior College and he was an ardent booster of West Sioux sports. In his younger years, he was active with hunting and fishing. Tom enjoyed spending time with family and friends and was an avid fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes. Carmen passed away on August 5, 2013.

Tom is survived by two sons, Tappen and wife Paula and their daughter Halle of Kansas City, Kansas and Monte and wife Missy and their daughters, Kelsey (Weston) Van De Berg and Morgan of Alton, Iowa; brother, John (Juanita) Tilgner, Jr. of Chicago, Illinois; brother-in-law, Jay (Lavonne) Hess of Rochester, Minnesota; and several nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, and wife, Carmen.

Source: Porter Funeral Home online obituary.