Karen Charlotte Tiller

Karen Charlotte Tiller of Wanamingo, Minnesota, passed away October 12, 2025, at Zumbrota Health Services in Zumbrota, Minnesota. She loved to play cards and games with family, played in Bridge and 500 clubs most of her life, and enjoyed word puzzles and game shows.

Karen was born April 7, 1936, to Edward and Mary (Nelson) Thoele of St. Paul, Minnesota. She was baptized by Rev. Gamber at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Karen attended Sibley Grade School and graduated from Harding High School in St. Paul. She graduated from the Miller Hospital School of Nursing with an LPN degree. For a short time before marriage, she was employed at St. John's Hospital. After marriage, she had a few odd jobs, including working at the SEMCA Lunch program at the Wanamingo School. Her most cherished job was being a loving wife and mother.

On November 3, 1956, Karen was married to John Tiller at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in St. Paul. They had three children: Sandra (Douglas) Wolter, Debra Aronson, and John Jr. (Adriana) Tiller. Karen had six grandchildren: Kelly Steberg, Neil Aronson, Jack Aronson, Shannon Garza, Kari Hennager and Laura Wolter, and three step-grandchildren: Crystal Wilcox, Angelo Barrientez, and Ariel Merriman. She had 18 great grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren.

Besides her family, Karen is survived by one sister, Mary Ann Just. She was preceded in death by her husband, John, her parents, one brother, James, one sister, Patricia, and many in-laws in both John and Karen's families.

A private graveside service at Trinity Cemetery will be held on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at 11:00 a.m.

Memorials are preferred to the Wanamingo Fire Department/First Responders, Trinity Church or St. Croix Hospice.

Arrangements were entrusted to Mahn Family Funeral Home Larson Chapel in Zumbrota, Minnesota.