Willis A. Tillotson

Willis A. Tillotson, 83 of Barnesville, Minnesota died Saturday, January 29, 2011 in the Good Samaritan Society, Barnesville. Funeral service will be Friday at 11:00 in Hope Lutheran Brethren Church, Barnesville with Pastor Rich Iverson officiating. Ruth and Ardon Doran will serve as a vocal duet accompanied by Sharon Seibel. Darlene Johnson will serve as pianist. Pallbearers will be his grandchildren, Jason Herbrandson, Jeremy Herbrandson, Joel Herbrandson, Nathan Herbrandson, Matthew Greenquist, Adam Greenquist, Andrew Greenquist, Travis Desing, Carrie Feigum and Angela Herbrandson. Honorary Pallbearers will be Myron Gouhour, Bernard Steinopf, Paul Follingstad, Orrie Gilbertson and Merlin Bekkerus. Visitation will be Thursday from 5:00 " 8:00 with a Prayer service at 7:00 in Dobmeier Funeral Home, Barnesville and two hours before the service on Friday at the church. Interment will be in City Cemetery, Barnesville, Minnesota. Willis, son of Aaron and Florence (Clarkson) Tillotson was born August 14, 1927 in Ottumwa, Iowa. In 1934 he moved with his family to a farm near Barnesville where he attended school and grew to manhood. He farmed with his family before starting his career as a truck driver. Willis married Harriet M. Bekkerus on October 30, 1948 in the Assembly of God Church in Barnesville. The couple made their home in Barnesville where they raised their family. Willis drove for Dan Dugan Trucking of Moorhead and Tony Kantrud Bulk Service and School Bus Company. He drove coast to coast for International Transport of Rochester, Minnesota and Transport Inc. of Moorhead, where he spent most of his career. He retired from Transport Inc. in 1984. Willis then drove and farmed for Melvin and Bradley Nelson, and Paul Follingstad. Willis and Harriet continued to live in Barnesville and for 16 years wintered in Arizona. Two weeks before his death Willis entered the Barnesville Good Samaritan Society. Willis was a long standing member of the Assembly of God Church in Barnesville and served on the Church Board. He was presently attending Hope Lutheran Brethren Church in Barnesville. Willis drove for the H.E.L.P.E.R.S. program for several years. He enjoyed mid morning coffee at the Eagles Caf and afternoons on his porch. He is survived by his wife, Harriet of Barnesville; three daughters, Kay (Richard) Herbrandson of Fergus Falls, Janet (Jerry) Greenquist of Holdrige, Nebraska and Julie (Seth) Desing of Barnesville; 10 grandchildren, Jason (Mary) Herbrandson of Dilworth, Jeremy (Carol) Herbandson of Moorhead, Joel (Celeste) Herbandson of Rochester, Minnesota, Nathan (Jennifer) Herbandson of Dilworth, Matthew (Suzanne) Greenquist of Hastings, Nebraska, Adam (Beth) Greenquist of Lincoln, Nebraska, Andrew Greenquist of Holdrige, Nebraska, Travis (April) Desing of Barnesville Carrie (Jesse) Feigum of Moorhead and Angela Herbandson of Fargo; 15 great-grandchildren, Jesse, Justin, Grace, Ethan, Erin, Mira, Sonja, Wesley, Emily, Collin, Olivia, Chloe, Quinn, Jonah and Seth. He is preceded in death by his parents; his son, Keith; two sisters, Inez Tillotson and Jesse Steinkopf. Online guestbook at www.dobmeierfuneralhome.com