Lillian Marie Tinker
July 04, 2012
Lillian Marie Tinker, 96, died Wednesday, July 4, 2012, at Parkridge Nursing Home in Pleasant Hill. She was born February 2, 1916, to Otto and Emma (Schultz) Feulner in Strawberry Point, Iowa.
Lillian was baptized at Emmanuel Lutheran Church on April 2, 1916, by Pastor G. A. Grof. She attended Sunday school and was confirmed Palm Sunday, March 24, 1929. She was active in the church choir, Mission Society, and became church organist at the age of 16. Lillian graduated from Strawberry Point High School in 1933, and attended Elkader Junior College.
On June 6, 1935, Lillian was united in marriage to Donald Wayland Tinker at Emmanuel Lutheran Church. Five children were born to this union.
While living in Delhi, she was active at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Delaware, continuing her organist duties. Later, she moved to Manchester and was an active member of First Lutheran Church, serving with the church ladies, Altar Guild, and church organist. Lillian was also active in the Legion Auxiliary, V.F.W. Auxiliary, and Eastern Star.
Lillian worked at the Fareway Store in Manchester for ten years while she cared for her parents prior to their death. She moved to Des Moines in 1969 to be closer to her family. She was active member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, volunteering with office work, playing for the youth choir, and was a member of the Altar Guild and Stephen Ministry program.
Lillian retired from Meredith Corporation in 1981, where she worked for many years as a publishing clerk.
Lillian is survived by her children, Merwyn (Jean) Tinker of Des Moines, John (Jackie) Tinker of Altoona, Mary Boyd of Des Moines, and Kathy (Bob) Nightingale of Manchester; son-in-law, Mike Hendrickson of Salt Lake City, UT; eight grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; niece, Allison (Feulner) Williams of Nikisk, Alaska; and many other extended family and beloved friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband; daughter, Judy Hendrickson; grandchildren, Gail (Tinker) Reiman and Craig Tinker; and brother, Alvin Feulner;
Per her request, her body has been donated to Des Moines University. A private burial of cremated remains will occur at a later date in Strawberry Point.
Online condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Elaine Gaul
07/11/2012
Our sympathy to you and your family.
Carol Pickett
07/10/2012
Merwyn & Jean & family, we are so sorry to hear about the death of your mother. Thoughs and prayers are with you.
Carl, Carol & Angie Pickett
Annie Brown
07/08/2012
I leased an apartment to Lillian at Park Place Apartments. I was the Activity Director and Secretary at the time. I will never forget the time that a very pretty black woman snuck into Park Place going door to door to see which doors were unlocked so she could steal purses. Lilliian was very hard of hearing and the lady walked in her apartment to see what she could steal while Lillian was napping in her chair. Lillian must have sensed something and went to the bathroom to see what the noise was. She found the thief in her tub. Lillilan had such a pure, simple and trusting heart that instead of being frightened she asked the woman if she was lost and in the wrong apartment. And could she help her. The woman said yes. Lillians neighbor was black so she assumed the lady was her neighbor's neice. She walked the lady over to the neighbor's and knocked on the door to help this thief out. Her neighbor immediatly suspected this lady was up to no good and escorted her out of the building. I'll never forget Lillian telling me about finding that lady in her bathroom and being so trusting and innocent that her first thought was not of fear, but of faith. To this day I still think of what she did. Once I had to tell Lillian something and knocked on her door. I knew she was home and couldn't hear me so I opened her door to find her sitting in her chair doing nothing. I asked her what she was doing and she said "just enjoying the peace" I thought how awesome is this lady and probably no one at Park Place really recognized it. I always enjoyed Lillian. She was a woman who was thankful for what she had. She loved her family and was always pleasant to be around. Never complained about anything and never talked bad about anyone. She loved God and His son Jesus and lived a life knowing that Jesus was her all and all. May the Lord bless her family in this time of sorrow and give them peace and joy in Him.
Annie Brown
Former employee of Park Place where Lillian lived.