Verle M. Tilley

Verle M. Tilley, 90, of Le Sueur, died at his home on Saturday, July 3, 2010. Visitation will be Tuesday, July 6 from 4-7 p.m. at the Kolden Funeral Home in Le Sueur. A family service and burial will be July 7 at 12:15 at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis. Verle was born on November 3, 1919 to Leavitt and Clara (Helvick) Tilley in Spencer, S.D. He lived at Spencer on the Tilley homestead, graduated from Farmer High School in 1937, and attended Brookings State College before enlisting in the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1940. A decorated P-38 fighter pilot, Verle served in the North African, Sicilian and Italian Campaigns during World War II. He married Vivian Vinz on April 3, 1944, and was based at Ontario, California before the couple returned to Spencer, S.D. where they farmed until they moved to Le Sueur in 1950. Verle worked as a technician for the Minnesota Valley Breeders Association for 16 years and enjoyed a long career as a farmer and dairyman, retiring in 1982. He was a charter member of the Le Sueur Flying Club and was a member of the American Legion for over 60 years. He enjoyed fishing, pool, cribbage, gardening and especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Verle is survived by his wife, Vivian; children Barry Tilley of Inver Grove Heights, MN; Ron (Cherie) Tilley of Fairlight, Australia; Ann (George) Dubovich of Andover, MN; Dick (Mary) Tilley of Le Sueur, MN; Dean (Mary) Tilley of Marine on St. Croix, MN; Julie Tilley of St. Paul, MN & Nancy Tilley of Palisade, CO; adopted daughter Farrand Anderson, Edina, MN; 15 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren; sister Roberta (Dennis) Jensen of Sun City, AZ. Preceded in death by his parents, brother Jean Tilley and sister Betty Potter.