The family is blessed to have had a husband, dad and grandpa, who always had a positive attitude, a kind heart and strong morals. Bill passed away suddenly at the age of 76 on Monday, December 5, 2011 at his home in Prior Lake.
Born in Redwood Falls, MN on December 14, 1934, Francis and Helen (Gegan) Tisdell announced the birth of their son, William Francis Tisdell. Growing up on the family farm, south of Olivia, Bill was the third oldest of nine children. Attending a one room country school through the eighth grade, he then attended and graduated from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Bird Island, MN
Proudly serving in the United States Air Force, Bill was stationed in Japan. He attended Milwaukee School of Engineering, earning a degree in Electrical Engineering. Bill worked at Univac-Unisys and truly loved his work. He had the opportunity to work in the aerospace division on rockets for the space program. As a young boy, he was always curious about space. Towards the end of his career, Bill worked on projects in Michigan & California until retiring at the age of 66.
While attending St. Mary’s High School, Bill met a young lady named, Lois Kessler. They dated for six years and on August 17, 1957, they exchanged wedding vows at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. While attending college in Milwaukee, they welcomed three children into the family, Mark, Thomas and Julie. After finishing school, Bill and Lois moved their family to Burnsville, where they welcomed 4 more children, Peter, Molly, Bill and John. Fulfilling a dream in 1979, Bill and Lois moved to their home on Spring Lake.
Life was about his family and enjoying every moment. Bill enjoyed traveling with his wife to Europe, especially to Ireland. He was a Boy Scout leader and loved to watch his sons play hockey. Together, they showed English Bulldogs, enjoyed the family vacations and spending countless hours on the lake towing the children behind the boat tubing and water skiing. He also enjoyed fishing with his brothers, children and grandchildren. Each spring, Bill attended the Franciscan Retreat Center with his son Mark. One of his last great adventures was his motorcycle trip in Europe with all five of his sons.
Forever loved, Bill will be deeply missed by wife of 54 years, Lois; children Mark (Lauri) Tisdell of Brooklyn Park, Thomas (Qiuqin) Tisdell of Burnsville, Julie (John) Young of Lakeville, Peter (Maria) Tisdell, Molly (Christopher Miller) Tisdell of Portland, OR, Bill (Remy) Tisdell of Arlington, WA, John (Ivonne Ledesma) Tisdell of Miami Shores, FL: 16 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; siblings, Maureen Tisdell, Helen Gove, Robert (Pat) Tisdell, Elizabeth Tisdell; many other loving relatives and devoted friends. BIll is preceded in death by his parents; siblings, John, Patrick (Darlene) Tisdell, Michael (Patricia) Tisdell and Alice Ann; brother in law, Gilbert.
The visitation will be on Thursday, December 8 from 4-7 p.m. at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home 4565 Pleasant Street SE, Prior Lake and also one hour prior to the mass at church. The Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, December 9 at 11 a.m. at the Church of St. Michael 16311 Duluth Avenue SE, Prior Lake. Bill will be laid to rest at St. Michael’s Cemetery in Prior Lake, MN. The urn bearers will be Bill’s children.
