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| Ben Tilsen, 90 |
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Posted: Tuesday, March 10, 2009 10:05 pm
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Ben Tilsen, age 90, of Northfield, died March 8, 2009, surrounded by his family.
Ben was born Oct. 24, 1918, in Bismarck, N.D., son of the late Edward and Esther (Reuben) Tilsen of St. Paul. Ben was a dreamer, philosopher, inventor, entrepreneur, progressive, soldier, peace advocate, lover of jujitsu and wrestling, builder, self-taught chemist and tradesman. Child of the Great Depression, with a strong political and social conscience, he enlisted in the Army in 1939 to fight fascism. On Dec. 7, 1941, he was serving with the 5th Army Air Corps at Hickam Field, Oahu, Hawaii, and survived the Japanese attack that claimed many friends and comrades. He spent the next four years in the South Pacific, much of it in New Guinea and Australia. After his war service, Ben worked to integrate the Crispus Attucks American Legion Post in St. Paul, and served as chair of the St. Paul City Veterans Housing Committee.
Ben married Betty Jane Rice in 1946, and the couple had five children. He joined the family business, Tilsenbilt Homes, and built many homes in the Twin Cities. Later he founded CONCAST Inc., specializing in precast concrete products for the electrical industry using advanced techniques of his invention.
In 1969 he married Grace Margaret (Peggy) Nicholas Ojala and moved to Northfield, where Peggy and Ben raised their children. After he retired in 1980, his interests and hobbies included cooking, gardening, travel, scientific developments and conversation.
Ben is survived by his wife of forty years, Peggy Tilsen; four children, Heather Baum, Josh Tilsen, Naomi Tilsen and Hannah Tilsen; four stepchildren, Arthur Ojala, Meg Ojala, Natalie Ojala and Emily Ojala; 11 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; brothers, Ken Tilsen and Robert Tilsen; and sister, Muriel Marvy. He was preceded in death by his son, Nicholas Tilsen; parents, Ed and Esther Tilsen; and sister, Jean Brust.
A gathering in memory of Ben Tilsen will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 11, 2009, at 1000 Cannon Valley Drive in Northfield. Refreshments follow. Interment will be at 2 p.m. Friday, March 13 in Fort Snelling National Cemetery, with full military rites.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Community Action Center of Northfield.
Arrangements by the Bierman Funeral Home in Northfield. |
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