Estle "Tilly" Tilson

Celebration of Life Service for Estle B. "Tilly" Tilson will be held on Wednesday, February 5, 2020, at 2:00 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege, Nebraska with Pastor Daren Popple officiating.  In honor of Tilly, the family requests casual attire. A private family inurnment will be held at a later date.

Estle B. "Tilly" Tilson, 72 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Saturday, February 1, 2020, at the Kearney Regional Medical Center in Kearney, Nebraska.  Tilly was born February 8, 1947, at Sioux City, Iowa, the fifth of nine children to Estle Foy Tilson and LaVona Martha (Blunk) Tilson.  He received his education at Tekamah, Nebraska.  Tilly then served his country in the United States Army until his Honorable Discharge on April 15, 1964.  Early on construction was a big part of Tilly's life, and was employed by Peter Kiewit for several years. He then began a long career in truck driving, where he drove over-the-road for Riteway Milk of Holdrege until his retirement.

On October 23, 1981, he was united in marriage to Sandra "Sandy" Beckman.  The family made their home in Holdrege, where Tilly and Sandy raised their family.

In his spare time, Tilly enjoyed wood working, bowling, and traveling. He thoroughly loved to drive, and the most important interest to him was taking care of his family. He was his boys' bowling and baseball coach, and loved attending all of his grandchildren's events, especially their baseball games. Quite often you could find Tilly picking his grandchildren up after school and transporting them wherever they needed to go. Tilly loved staying in touch with his family, checking in with his children regularly by dropping in or calling was a daily routine. He also enjoyed daily phone calls to his brother, Frank.

He was a member of the First United Methodist Church.

Besides his parents; Tilly was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Dean Beckman; brothers-in-law: Darrell Metzler; Jim Beckman; and Gordan Nelson; sisters-in-law: Maria Tilson; Cora Tilson; and niece, Lydia Tilson.

He leaves to celebrate his life; his wife, Sandy Tilson of Holdrege; mother-in-law, Joy Goos of Holdrege; six children: Estle Alan Tilson and his wife, Tosha of Holdrege; Kristi Marks and her husband, Brian of Noblesville, Indiana; Crystal Ross and her husband, Jacob of Howe, Idaho; Brett Tilson and his wife, Crystal of Holdrege; Jamie Tilson and his wife, Samantha of Holdrege; Amber Schultz and her husband, Michael of Alma, Nebraska; honorary son, Ben Johnson and his wife, Brandy of Holdrege;13 grandchildren:  Seth, Ashley, Cortney, Kyle, Conner, Alexa, Mariya, Haley, Jacob, Marcus, Maxton, Alexis and George; one great-granddaughter, Layla; eight siblings: Carolyne Nelson of Commerce City, Colorado; Martha Broderson and her husband, Larry of Wayne, Nebraska; Lydia Metzler of Wakefield, Nebraska; Tally Schmidt of Tekamah; Frank Tilson and his wife, Michelle of Tekamah; Diana Thomlinson of Bloomington, Illinois; Joel Tilson of Cheyenne, Wyoming; and Kevin Tilson of Omaha, Nebraska; special cousin, who was raised like a brother, Terry Tilson of Miami, Florida; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

A memorial book signing will be held on Tuesday, February 4, 2020, from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.

A memorial has been established in Tilly's honor, and kindly suggested to the family for later designation.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.