Matilda Wiederrich

Matilda “Tillie” Wiederrich 105 of Aberdeen, formerly Ellendale, ND, died February 12, 2022 at Avera Mother Joseph Manor. Tillie was born March 23, 1916 to Daniel and Katherine (Saur) Erlenbusch at Lowry, SD. She was baptized July 23, 1916 at Lowry and confirmed June 30, 1930 at Java SD. She graduated from the eighth grade in Java. After a few years of working for various families in the area, she attended Remily Beauty School in Aberdeen. She graduated and passed her State Boards in 1941 beginning her career as a beauty operator at Alt’s Beauty Shop, Aberdeen. Tillie married Simon Opp November 9, 1942 and they continued living in Aberdeen. Simon died March 2, 1963. Tillie met August Wiederrich at a Singles Club dance at Craven Corner. They were married October 6, 1973. Tillie sold the Beauty Shop and ended a 32-year career as a Beauty Operator and became a farm/ranch wife in the Merricourt/Monago, ND area. Tillie became interested in family history. She and her sister Frieda authored and published the Erlenbusch/Kienzle Family History Book collecting history from 1580 to 1984 and the Saur Heritage Book collecting history from 1771 to 1986. Family members treasure these books. She was recognized by the Germans from Russia Heritage Society for volunteering and translating letters from German to English. Tillie loved to travel and did so extensively prior to her marriage to August and then she traveled with him including several trips to Europe and spent time visiting family in Germany. Tillie and August moved to Ellendale in 2000. They then moved to Aberdeen in 2017 and resided at Mother Joseph Retirement Community. August died April 12, 2019. Tillie continued to live at Nano Nagel Village until March 2021 when she moved to Mother Joseph Manor. She loved keeping in touch with friends and family by writing letters even as the end of her life approached. Tillie is survived by her sister-in-law Edna Erlenbusch, of Bowdle, brother-in-law Robert (Laurie) Wiederrich of Edgeley and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers William, Jacob (KIA in WWII), Fred, Herbert and Alvin, and sisters Helen, Cecelia, Clara, and Frieda. The funeral services will be 11am Saturday, February 19 at Zion Lutheran Church, Ellendale with Pastor Paul Preus officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to services. Burial is at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Aberdeen. The service will be live streamed at hovenfuneralchapel.com on Matilda’s obituary page. The committal service will be live at 2:15-2:30pm at the cemetery. Arrangements by Hoven Funeral Chapel, Ellendale. Matilda "Tillie"'s Memorial Folder