Timothy John Raidt, age 66, of Jordan, Minn., passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, June 5, 2024 after a two-year battle with cancer. A celebration of Tim’s life will be held at 11:00 AM with visitation time from 10:30 – 11 AM and a reception to follow on Thursday, June 27, 2024 at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, 833 Marschall Rd, Shakopee, MN 55379.
Born December 24, 1957 in Minneapolis, Tim spent much of his childhood on his family’s farm in Farmington, Minn. He helped raise goats and cattle, was active in 4-H and competed in track and field. Tim’s family later worked as ranchers, moving back and forth between Minnesota and Washington State—occasionally with goats in tow in a modified school bus.
Tim graduated from Burnsville High School, and shortly afterwards met the woman who would become his wife, Debra Ackerman. They raised their two children, Dana and Ryan, in Chaska, Minn. and Colville, Wash., before settling their family in Excelsior, Minn. In 2001, Tim and Deb moved to Jordan and built a home there.
Tim worked as a master electrician, earning his Master Electrician license in 1996. A hard worker who was highly respected by his colleagues, Tim made many friends while employed at companies including MTS Systems, PerkinElmer, Cargill, Dow Chemical and DuPont, from which he retired in 2022. As a skilled handyman who was always willing to lend a hand, he also often worked nights and weekends helping friends and neighbors with electrical, plumbing and other home projects.
Tim’s passion project was his 1968 royal blue Pontiac GTO, which he lovingly restored, rebuilt and customized over the course of 24 years with the help of his son, Ryan. He enjoyed participating in classic car clubs and attending classic car shows in the area to connect with other car enthusiasts. He loved playing guitar and was an avid music fan, enjoying countless concerts—from local cover bands to big-name stadium shows—with Deb and their friends. He also was an outdoorsman, fishing, boating, four-wheeling, snowmobiling and lumberjacking in his trademark plaid flannel shirts whenever he had the chance. Tim enjoyed spending time at “Ackerville,” the family’s lake property in northern Minnesota, where he was the unofficial caretaker and official musician-in-residence. He could often be found on summer weekends driving the pontoon around Torchlight Lake with his grandkids, grilling, chatting around the campfire and sometimes even putting on concerts with fellow musician friends. He will be remembered for his incredible work ethic, unique sense of humor and devotion to his family and friends.
Tim was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Audrey Raidt; and brothers, Steve, Joe and Rick Raidt.
He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Deb; daughter, Dana Raidt (Sean Tenhoff) of Minneapolis and son, Ryan Raidt (Kasey Wilson) of Center City, Minn.; sisters, Sue Mabry (Joe) of Moses Lake, Wash. And Renee Raidt Rogers (Andy Rogers) of Spokane, Wash.; stepsisters, Cindy Dodge (Greg) and Lisa Chronic (Mike) of Colville, Wash.; grandchildren, Dominic Tenhoff-Raidt and Evelyn Tenhoff; in-laws, Richard and Cheryl Ackerman, Russ and Karen Ackerman, and Steve and Christine Ackerman; along with many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.
