Richard Tillquist

Richard Malcolm Tillquist, age 90, a lifelong resident of Belle Plaine, passed away on March 26, 2021 at the Lutheran Home in Belle Plaine.  Visitation will be from 1-3 p.m. with a Funeral service following on Thursday, April 1, 2021 at Kolden Funeral Home in Belle Plaine.  Pastor Ed Fredrich will officiate. Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery in Belle Plaine.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

Dick was born on October 23, 1930 to Frederick and Thelma (Christensen) Tillquist in St. Paul. He grew up in Belle Plaine and graduated from Belle Plaine High School in 1948. He then attended Gustavus Adolphus College and graduated in 1953. He served in the United States Army for 2 ½ years in Foreign Intelligence as a German translator.  On June 3, 1961 he married Elverna Stier at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Belle Plaine. Together they had 2 daughters, Kristi and Karin. Following her death, he later married Dara Lee and they spent the last thirty seven years together.  

Dick owned the Belle Plaine Motor Company until he sold it in 1972 and ran the bus company which he sold in 1990.  Throughout his entire life, Dick held an unwavering faith in God which he shared with those who surrounded him. Dick was an avid gardener and reader, who enjoyed traveling, fishing, and playing golf with friends. Dick was known for his quick wit and was a beloved bus driver. 

Dick is survived by his wife Dara Lee,

Daughters, Kristi (Mike) Yee of Brooklyn Center,

Karin (Tom) Miller of Kilkenny,

Step Children, Brian Jeffries, Mark (Lynn) Jeffries, Donna (Mark) Kremer, Mike (Liza) Jeffries 

13 Grandchildren,

5 Great Grandchildren,

Brother, Paul (Ruth) Tillquist

Brother-in-law, Ron Freimark

Sister-in-laws, Doris Stier, Kathleen Luegge, and Linda McCaw

Many Nieces & Nephews.

Dick is preceded in death by his parents, first wife Elverna in 1981, and sister Margery Johnson.

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