Ronald Tilden

(AKA: Ace, Bear, Mister T, Mountain Man)

After a tough battle with Interstitial Lung Disease, Ron passed away with his children by his side early Monday morning May 15, 2023.

Ronald was born February 2nd, 1952 in Sioux Falls to Ronald Sr and Gertrude (Mann) Tilden.  He was the third child of eight siblings.  He had a childhood full of adventure and family.  He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1970.  He was going to join the military, but could not due to a heart defect that he was born with.  He worked various jobs including mechanic and gas station attendant before becoming a custodian at Washington High School in 1974 in Sioux Falls.  He worked his way up to custodial manager for the Sioux Falls school district.  He really loved the variety of work that he was able to do in his career with the schools.  His favorite thing was probably plowing the lots and playgrounds when it snowed.  All in, he was employe by the school district for 47 years from 1974 to retirement in 2021.

Shortly after high school he dated and married Rebecca Loewen.  Together they raised two children and later divorced after their children were grown.  He was always ready and willing to run anywhere he was needed, and loved to hang out with friends and family.  He was very proud of the adults his children became even though they made some mistakes along the way.  He very much loved his children, grand children, great grand-children, extended family and friends.  His second love was probably cars.  He would see the potential in cars that were maybe were a little less than appealing to most.  He would pick up many “project” cars with the idea of fixing them and getting them back on the road again.  In his lifetime, he bought many of these project cars, and even sold a few.  He always saw the potential of the car, which made them very hard to sell to just anyone.

He will be lovingly remembered by his family including his son, Todd (Char) Tilden, daughter Rachel (Ben) Swain; nine grand-children, Matthew (Sarah) Powell, Justin Powell, Daniel Powell, Mason (Taylor) Swain, Zach Hollander, Bailey Tilden, Payton Swain, Lauren Swain, and Logan Swain. Five great grand-children.  His sisters and brothers Judy (Richard) Faris, Janet (Lyndon) Harrington, Karen (Dave) Theel, Carol Sue Tilden, Dorothy Mormon (Duane Nedved), Grace Tilden, and Jim (JoAnn) Tilden.  So very many nieces and nephews and extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Brothers in law Richard Faris, and James Morman, grandson Daniel Powell, extended family member John Swain and old friends Charles Frerichs and Steve Ingalls.

Ron's funeral will be at Heritage Funeral Home at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 26, 2023 with a luncheon to follow.  Family will be present for visitation at Heritage Funeral Home on Thursday, May 25, 2023, from 4:00- 6:00 p.m.