John Martin Tiller

John Martin Tiller, 94, of Wanamingo, Minnesota, passed away May 18, 2025, at his home.

John was born in Wanamingo on July 27, 1930, to Martin and Marie (Haugen) Tiller. He was baptized by Rev. J.B. Rockne into the Christian faith at Trinity Lutheran Church and was a lifelong member there. Since childhood, John enjoyed music and singing. He sang with the Trinity choir for most of his life and he also sang with the Villagers local group. Throughout his many years of membership, he held many positions at Trinity.

John attended the Wanamingo Public School for 12 years, graduating in 1948. After working a few other jobs, he worked for 35 years at IBM, in Rochester.

John served as a member of the Wanamingo Volunteer Fire Department for 39 years. He was also a member of the Wanamingo Lions Club for 45 years, where he was awarded the Melvin Jones Fellow Award.

In 1951, in the course of the Korean Conflict, John was drafted into the U.S. Armed Forces. During the war, 1951 to 1953, he completed Army Engineer Basic Training and attended the Army Electrical School at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. John served during the war in Korea as a lineman and electrician with the Army Corps of Engineers. He was a member of the Wanamingo Quamme Post of the VFW.

On November 3, 1956, John was united in marriage to Karen Thoele at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in St. Paul. To this union, three children were born: Sandra (Douglas) Wolter, Debra Aronson and John Jr. (Adriana) Tiller. He had six grandchildren: Kelly Steberg, Neil Aronson, Jack Aronson, Shannon Garza, Kari Hennager and Laura Wolter; three step-grandchildren: Crystal Wilcox, Angelo Barrientez and Ariel Merriman; 18 great grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and three sisters and their spouses: Martha (Danny) Johnson, Solveig (Orville) Nordsletten and Lois (Jim) Farris.

A Memorial Service will be held Friday, May 23, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Wanamingo. Visitation will be Friday from 9:30 to 11 at the church. Burial will be a Trinity Lutheran Cemetery. Online condolences may be placed at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com.

Memorials are preferred to the Trinity Cemetery or Mayo Hospice in Rochester, Minnesota.