Hilda A. Tjaden

Hilda A. Tjaden, 102, a longtime resident of Fergus Falls, died Sunday, October 26, 2014 at the Broen Memorial Home in Fergus Falls.

She was born October 30, 1911 at Fitchburg, Massachusetts, the daughter of Martin G. and Wilhelmina M. (Johnson) Magnuson. She was adopted at the age of three by John and Anna Lindberg. In 1921, after living in Nebraska, Iowa and Colorado, the family bought the farm on what is now the Green Acres Mobile Home Park in Fergus Falls. Hilda attended Fergus Falls public schools and graduated from Fergus Falls Senior High in 1929. She completed the teacher training program in Fergus and then taught school in a rural school for one year.

On September 6, 1932 she married Otto Tjaden at her parent’s home in Fergus Falls and over the next 10 years they had five children, Judy, Irene, Hilding, Dale and Joanne. She actively participated in her childrens’ lives by volunteering as a Boy Scout and Campfire Girl Leader, as well as room mother and PTA President at Jefferson School. She was also President of the Fergus Falls PTA Council.

After renewing her teaching certificate in 1954, Hilda taught all eight grades in a one-room schoolhouse near Elizabeth. In 1955 she started her employment at the Fergus Falls State Hospital, first as a Psychiatric Aide and later developing programs for patients in the area of Remotivation. Hilda returned to college and received her Associate of Arts Degree from Fergus Falls Junior College in 1972. She retired from the Hospital in 1976.

Hilda and Otto built a house and sign business on East Lincoln Avenue and she actively participated in helping Otto in his business. In addition, she had a beautiful flower garden, specializing in irises and shared her flower arrangements with her friends and her church. Hilda and Otto loved to read and he would often read the classics to her while she worked on crafts or ironed. She was skilled in many crafts including knitting, crocheting, embroidery and quilting. Her finished projects grace many homes. Hilda also loved to travel and enjoyed trips to Israel, Canada and Mexico as well as to most areas of the U.S.

She was a member of the Crossroads of Fergus Falls and participated in many church functions. She belonged to a Scrabble Club into her late 90’s and also enjoyed playing UpWords with anyone who dared to take her on. She also belonged to Quilter’s Club and Christian Women’s Club for many years.

Hilda will be remembered for her beautiful smile and unusual knack for listening. People always said they visited her “just to talk” because they knew she always listened. She was fun, intelligent, patient and sensible and will be sorely missed by her friends and family.

Preceding her in death were her parents; husband, Otto Tjaden in 1982; sister, Gertrude Johnson in 1999; grandson, Craig Thompson in 1980.

She is survived by her five children, Judy Thompson of Fergus Falls, Irene (Vince) Hendrickson of Georgetown, FL, Hilding “Sonny” (Sandy) Tjaden of Fergus Falls, Dale Tjaden of Fergus Falls, Joanne (Robert) Thompson of Hurricane, Utah; 17 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; 17 great-great-grandchildren.

Visitation: One hour prior to the service at Light and Life Auditorium in Fergus Falls
Service: 11 a.m. Saturday, November 1, 2014 at Light and Life Auditorium in Fergus Falls
Clergy: Reverend Ned Eerdmans
Interment: Oak Grove Cemetery, Fergus Falls
Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls