Wilmer E. Tiedemann, 83, Sibley

A funeral service for Wilmer E. Tiedemann was held Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in May City. Pastor Richard Milbrandt officiated.

Pallbearers were Jason Noble, Ryan Noble, Joshua Noble, Mark Tiedemann, Benjamin Tiedemann and Kaleb Schnurr. Honorary pallbearers were Kolton Schnurr and Blaine Tiedemann. Burial was in Harrison Township Cemetery at May City. Hartley Funeral Home assisted with the arrangements.

Wilmer Edwin Tiedemann, fourth son of Alfred B. and Katharina (Breuer) Tiedemann, was born April 3, 1938, in rural Hull. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, also in Hull. Wilmer attended country school until the eighth grade when he completed his education to help out on the family farm.

Wilmer always enjoyed farming; being able to be outside every day in fresh air and sunshine meant everything to him. It gave him great satisfaction to see an abundant harvest and healthy, growing livestock as a result of hard work, determination and the good Lord at his side. An agricultural life comes with its own set of challenges but for Wilmer, there was a certain kind of gratification in dealing with each one through all the changing seasons.

Farm life wasn’t always about work. When there was some free time Wilmer would unwind by attending the local dance hall, where he met Donna Jeanne Philiph. On June 7, 1959, they were united in marriage in May City. By this union they were blessed with five children.

Wilmer and Donna began farming together near Milford and then moved to Hull for several years. Eventually they moved back to Donna’s family farm near May City. Along with row crops they managed a dairy herd, fed cattle, hogs, chickens, turkeys, ducks, lambs, bottle calves and farrowed hogs. While taking care of life on the farm, Wilmer also had the opportunity to sustain one by selflessly donating a kidney to his brother, Alvin, in 1968.

Dancing or listening to polka music, snowmobiling, going to feather parties, and Farmall and International tractors all brought special enjoyment to Wilmer. He especially liked to grow, harvest and eat sweet corn – and lots of it!

Yet nothing was quite as important as spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren – and feeding his farm cats…hotdogs.

When the last dairy cow left the yard, Wilmer and Donna enjoyed annual trips to California to visit Donna’s sister, Lorraine. They also drove to Branson, Mo. several times to visit their friends. Donna passed away on March 28, 2016, after 57 years of marriage.

Wilmer married Deborah K. Olson on Aug. 24, 2017, at Sioux Falls, S.D.

On Jan. 28, 2022, Wilmer died quietly in his home in rural Sibley. He was preceded in death by his wife, Donna; his parents; and three brothers.

Left to cherish his memory are his five children: Kathi (Gary) Noble, of May City; Bruce (Tiffany) Tiedemann, of Earlham; Brian (Vicky) Tiedemann, of Charles City; Brent Tiedemann, of Estherville; and Karla (Keith) Schnurr, of May City; 13 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; his wife, Deborah; brother, Arnold Tiedemann; sister, Luella (Dennis) Heilman; sisters-in-law: Mary Ellen (Loren) Reyelts, Betty Tiedemann and Lorraine Stamer; and many nieces and nephews.