Arleen Doris Tillman

Arleen Doris Tillman, age 93, of Rush City, left this earth to be with her Heavenly Father on November 22, 2018, Thanksgiving Day.

Arleen was born to Reuben and Eva Moline on December 1, 1924. Arleen and her brothers attended the country school at Fish Lake. Arleen transferred to North Branch High School and was both homecoming queen and valedictorian. Following high school, Arleen supervised typists in the Engineering Department at Honeywell in Minneapolis, and later worked as a payroll clerk for Rush City School.

On August 16, 1947, Arleen married Royal Tillman at her parent’s home in Harris. They bought the family dairy farm from Royal’s father in 1950. They were married for 59 years and raised three daughters. During her last few days, Arleen often stated, that she had “a simple, but good life.”

Arleen loved her flower gardens. She took great pride in them and loved to hear that people enjoyed seeing the colorful display as they drove by on Highway 61.

Roy and Arleen were baptized during the same ceremony at East Rock Creek Baptist Church. Arleen was an active member of this church which later became a part of the Rush City Baptist Church. She held many various roles including Sunday school teacher, Deaconess, summer Bible school teacher and a woman who believed in the power of prayer. For many years, Arleen helped several elderly women who didn’t drive get to church, get their groceries or do errands for them around town.

The value of relationship was exemplified by Arleen who had an open door, a freezer full of goodies to share and a pot of coffee ready for friends, family or the occasional stranger in need who were traveling Highway 61 or the train rails. Arleen was a wonderful cook and her daughters always wondered how she could magically make a huge bowl of gravy from a few tablespoons of meat drippings. Her smile, hospitality and loving ways will always be missed.

Arleen lived for 11 years at Ecumen in North Branch. She stayed very busy by attending the church services, Bible studies, crafting, Bingo, sending birthday cards and the daily “coffee clutch”.

Arleen is survived by her daughters Linda Tillman (Tim Hjelmeland) of Spicer, Vicki (Howard) Hanson of Pine City and Holly Wicklund, of Stacy; 8 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; brother Willard “Pete” Moline of Harris; brother-in-law Ken Swanson of North Branch.

Arleen is preceded in death by her parents Reuben and Eva Moline; husband Royal Tillman; brothers Orville Moline and Girard (Ann) Moline; sisters-in-law Millie Moline, Ruth Swanson, Fern (Leonard) Bergfalk and Jeanette (Bill) Swanson.

Pastor Dave Melin will officiate at funeral services for Arleen: 11 AM; Saturday, December 1, 2018, Arleen’s birthday, at the Rush City Baptist Church where Arleen was a long-time member. A time of visitation and reviewal is planned for one hour prior to the service at the church.

After a fellowship luncheon in the church lower level; Arlene will be interred next to her husband Royal in the Oak Grove Cemetery at Harris.  

Casket bearers are Arleen’s grandchildren, Ryan Hanson, Dustin Hjelmeland, Jeremy Hanson, Kelsey Gelhaus, Lindsey Beich, Chad Hanson, Katie Berggren and Jessica Wicklund.