Sherry Tilander, Sept. 12, 1942 to Feb. 18, 2025 

Our family were pioneers in central Ohio, having earned that land grant by supporting the Colonists. We three sisters, Sherry, Marty Hanna and Molly Fritz-Beckers were born in Columbus. 

Wilbur Tilander met Sherry while he was stationed at the Army Depot. They married and made their home on his family homestead in Ray, Minnesota. He was one of nine children. It was a large raucous clan full of fun-loving Finlanders as large as Paul Bunyon. Wilbur worked in the woods, and they lived off the land. Their life included growing and hunting their food, family hunting shacks back in the woods, the wonder of northern lights, ice fishing shacks with TV’s and recliners, “hot dish” and sweets for sick neighbors and always laughter. When Wilbur’s health became fragile, they picked blueberries to sell at the fishing resorts, and Wilbur made furniture from the treasures found in the woods. Together, they designed rock gardens where every nook and cranny were filled with flowers. The swallowtail butterflies would lay their eggs there. A friend showed her how to build a glass box to hold a delicate branch with eggs. After their various cycles, beautiful swallowtails would immerge to be set free for the next cycle.

Sherry worked for United Health Care for 10 years, but always kept up her jigsaw puzzles, quilting and gardening.

It became difficult to maintain the homestead after Wilbur’s passing. Sherry left her home of 60 years to live with Marty in Fernley. It wasn’t an easy transition, leaving the woods and lakes for the brown high desert. But there were new roads to explore and families to visit in California and Oregon. She discovered the subtle beauty of the West. You could count on finding a plate of her famous cookies in the kitchen. (Sherry’s boxes of Christmas cookies were legendary.) The veggie garden flourished under her care and colorful flowerpots popped up all over the yard. 

The Rotary Club of Fernley and Great Basin Quilters of Fernley brought her new friends and excitement. She was never idle. 

She leaves behind their son, Karvin and his wife, Tammy Tilander, International Falls, MN. Their two sons, Christopher and Aaron, live in Reno. Sherry, also leaves behind dozens of nieces and nephews in Minnesota and Oregon; our cousins Sue Starr (Danny) in New York and Rachel (Alan) in Connecticut. Marty’s son and daughter-in-law, Mike Isham and Jean Ciceu live in Spanish Springs. Molly and her children, Meg (Chung), Eric and Brian (Leah) and their children all live in central Ohio.

Sherry loved life, family, clouds, plants, road trips, birds, pretty rocks, jigsaw puzzles, cooking, sewing and reading. There was an infectious excitement for life. She was an old soul. Marty and Molly were at her side when she left us for her next adventure.