Loreen Phyllis Tillman was born on the family farm near Springside, SK on July 26, 1932, the daughter of Joseph and Lydia (Kisser) Jonat. She attended Cross Roads School and completed her education at Springside School. Her early childhood was spent living on the family farm until her parents moved to Springside in 1946. Loreen was gifted with music and at a young age her parents gave her the opportunity to begin taking piano lessons. When she completed her schooling she continued to take lessons and practice as well as teach lessons. During this time Loreen began dating the love of her life, Alfred "Fred" Tillman. They were married on October 5, 1951 and moved back to the farm, in the home where she was born, and resided there until moving to the Bentley Retirement Community in Yorkton in December, 2013. Loreen enjoyed the farm and always had a big vegetable garden as well as many beautiful flowers. She was an excellent seamstress sewing many of her children's clothes. Loreen also enjoyed doing many different crafts especially quilting. She was a member of the York Colony Quilters Guild and made a quilt for each of her children, grandchildren and most of her great-grandchildren. With Fred, Loreen made many trips throughout Canada, the United States and a memorable trip to Europe. As their health began to fail, they enjoyed many good card games as well as feeding and watching the birds. Loreen devoted her life to Christ at an early age. She used her gift of music faithfully for the Lord as church organist. She began playing the piano for Sunday School and church at age 12 and soon was accompanying vocals and the church choir. When the church purchased an organ she taught herself to play and continued as the organist until moving to Yorkton. Loreen's grandchildren and great grandchildren were very special to her and she would often be seen playing her organ or piano as they sang. Loreen passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 8, 2014 at St. Paul's Lutheran Home in Melville , SK. at the age of 82 years. She was predeceased by her parents, Joseph and Lydia; her husband, Fred and her son-in-law, Norman Martel. Loreen leaves to mourn her passing and cherish her memory, her son, Bryce (Nicole Gleason); her daughters, Terry (Brian) Matkowski, Cheryl (Ron) Minke and Karen (Davis) Manganye; her grandchildren, Deven and Stacey Matkowski and children, Shelyse and Jayce; Cortney and Kari Matkowski and children, Brett, Tristen, Mason and Kaydence; Kenda and Derek Kohut and children, Brayden, Josh-lynn and Tayja; Tannys and Kurt Madsen and children, Mikayla, Mitchel and Jessica; Graem and Trisha Minke and children, Dylan and Dru; Jarred Minke; Bryan and Tracy Berrecloth and son, Kolby; Shannon Berrecloth and children, Keegan and Kali; Samantha Tillman and Jordan Lutz and children, Chrislynn and Cain; Clinton Tillman; Gordon Gleason; Evan Gleason and Travis Gleason-Tillman; her sister, Elaine (Alvin) Patzer as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and good friends. Funeral Services were held on Saturday, November 15, 2014 from Springside Baptist Church with Pastor Richard Kauenhofen officiating. Loreen's grandchildren read Psalm 150. The organist, Jeanette Kriger and pianist, Kitty Arndt led the congregation in the singing of the hymn, "Because He Lives". Special musical tributes were shared by Craig Patzer, Mikayla Madsen, Jessica Madsen, Jeanette Kriger, Kitty Arndt and Soul Purpose. Loreen's children, Bryce, Terry, Cheryl and Karen remembered their mother in tribute and eulogy. A special taped music selection of Loreen playing "The Holy City" was shared with the congregation and also was played as a postlude. Friends so wishing may forward their condolences to the family by visiting www.christiesfuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Christie's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
