Ellingson, Tilman Oliver 1920 - 2013

ELLINGSON, HENDRICKSON, BARTH, CONDIE, FUREY, HELMUTH, BERGAN, PIERCE, SNITKER, SHELBY, GROTEGUT

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 7/26/2013 at 08:36:50

Tilman Ellingson, age 93, of Decorah, IA, died on Wednesday, June 12, 2013, at his home.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, June 21, 2013, at the Decorah Lutheran Church, 309 Winnebago Street, Decorah, IA, with Rev. David Sorenson and Rev. Bryan Robertson presiding. Burial will be in Phelps Cemetery, Decorah, IA, with full military rites by the Helof Holm VFW Chapter #1977.

Friends may call after 10:00 a.m., at the church on Friday morning.

Tilman Oliver Ellingson was born on January 30, 1920, the son of Harris and Henrietta (Hendrickson) Ellingson, north of Sattre in Winneshiek County. He and his two brothers and five sisters attended rural country schools. Tilman was baptized at the Iowa River Lutheran Church and confirmed at Waterloo Ridge Lutheran Church. Tilman entered the US Army on August 26, 1941, in Fort Des Moines, Iowa. He was in the 14th Coast Artillery Harbor Defense and the 106th Infantry. He served in France, Germany, and Belgium. He was in the Battle of the Bulge. After returning to the United States, he was a Military Policeman in Omaha. He was discharged on Dec. 14, 1945. Tilman married Lorena Barth on March 2, 1947, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Locust. They were the parents of three daughters: Wanda, Wendy and Wanett. Tilman had a trucking service for forty-three years. He took pride in a job well-done and was respected for his reliability, honesty, and perfectionism. Tilman was commander of the Helof Holm VFW Chapter #1977, Commander of the Bernatz-Symonds American Legion Post #163 and Commander of the VFW Cootie Organization. In August 2010, Tilman participated in an Honor Flight to Washington, DC, to visit the World War Two Memorial; the fulfillment of a long-time dream. Tilman was a member of First Lutheran Church for many years, where he served as an usher. Most recently, he was a member of Decorah Lutheran Church. He also belonged to the Elks and the Odd Fellows. Tilman also served on the Decorah City Council for two terms. Tilman always enjoyed his children, grandchildren, great-granddaughter and siblings.

Tilman is survived by his wife: Lorena Ellingson, Decorah, IA. Three daughters: Wanda (John Condie) Ellingson, Durango, CO; Wendy (Brian) Furey, Minneapolis, MN; and Wanett (Norm) Helmuth, Iowa City, IA. Five grandsons: Ian (Korinne) Ellingson Condie, J.C. Ellingson Condie, Nicholas Furey, Alex Helmuth and Max Helmuth. One great granddaughter: Margaret Condie. Two sisters: Cheryl Bergan, Decorah, IA; and Sandra Pierce, Sacramento, CA. One sister-in-law: Mary Ellingson, Decorah, IA. Two brothers-in-law: Calvin Snitker, Waukon, IA, and Edward Shelby, Summerton, NC, along with many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Tilman was preceded in death by his parents: Harris and Henrietta (Hendrickson) Ellingson. Three sisters: Adelaide Shelby, Kathleen Snitker, and Esther (Willard) Grotegut. Two brothers: Orval Ellingson and Mervin (Lillian) Ellingson. Two brothers-in-law: Darrell D. Pierce, and Duane Bergan.

Source: Schluter - Balik Funeral Home database

Phelps Cemetery
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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