James Tisdell

James Duane Tisdell (Jim) passed away unexpectedly and peacefully at home in New York Mills, MN on October 13, 2024. Born in Wadena on January 7, 1945, Jim grew up in New York Mills and graduated from New York Mills High School. On September 14, 1968, he married Linda Elaine Anderson at First Presbyterian Church in Lake Nebegamon, WI. They were happily married for 56 years.

He attended Wadena Technical College and worked as a lineman for Minnesota Power in Duluth and Pine River until 1976. They purchased the family farm in Pine River where they raised three daughters.

He attended Brainard Community College, and Bemidji State University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in History and Education. He substitute-taught at schools in the area and was known as “the best substitute ever” because he rode to school in his leathers on his Harley.

They moved to New York Mills, eventually purchasing his grandparent's homestead. At this time, Jim joined the local Pinochle gang and began winning his retirement.

Over the years, Jim enjoyed fishing trips with Linda, traveling across the country on their motorcycles, gardening, canning, watching Westerns, reading, and playing cards (or counting cards as some would say).

He is preceded in death by his parents James Alphonse Tisdell and Gail Marie Frost (Sandback); brother William R. Tisdell; and nephew Kyle W. Tisdell.

He is survived by his wife, Linda; daughters Gail (Mitchell) Job of St. Joseph, MO, JaeLyn (Brendan) Patton of Millbrook, AL, and JoAnn (Erik) Bresnahan of Pine River, MN. His grandchildren, Marguerite and Matthew Job of Kansas City, MO; Nancy and Frederick Patton of Pensacola, FL, Joan and Jessica Patton of Millbrook, AL; and Seren and Synneva Bresnahan of Pine River, MN. His siblings Raymond (Arleda) Tisdell of New York Mills, MN; Delbert (Irene) Sandback of New York Mills, MN; and Cindy (Mark) Braggelman of St. Cloud, MN. And a host of loving family and friends.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James Tisdell, please visit our floral store.