Jahn Tinglum

MIDDLETON - Jahn Hermann Tinglum, 89, began celebrating his new "life" in heaven on Friday, July 17, 2015. Beloved by all, he will be missed here for his kindness, sharp wit, intelligence, devotion to his wife, Esther, and family, helpfulness to all neighbors and friends, and his persistence to eat pie first. He loved and was loved by all the dogs in this world....and one cat, Kattepuss.

His wife of 68 years, Esther, was his love and his heart. Their loving devotion to each other served as an example for all the family to see and follow. Jahn's family love was carried on to their 4 children: Penny Derringer (Jay Maynard), Liesel (Tim) Reilly, Hillis (Cathy) Tinglum, and Jay (Kristen) Tinglum. Then there were the grandchildren: Bren, Becca, Adam, Kirsten, Jacqueline, Jack, Nick, Margie, Jahn, Jamie, Lisa and Michelle. Then, the great-grandchildren: Tyler, Carson, Brillan, Brighton, Kara, Tre, Nadia, Bella, Isaac and Aiden. Then there were the special nieces and nephews and multitudes of others who claimed him as their "Papa".

Jahn was preceded in death by his parents Ottar and Margit, brothers Ole and Sverre, sister Liesel, daughter-in-law Sharon and great-grandson Tyler.

Born in Norway in 1925, Jahn and his family emigrated to the U.S. when he was 2 years old. Jahn enlisted in the Navy right after graduating from high school in Black River Falls, WI. As he was serving on a ship in the Pacific during WWII, he was wounded and awarded the Purple Heart. Many years later, his service was still recognized as he became one of the privileged veterans to be invited on one of the earliest Badger Honor Flights to Washington D. C.

Following his Navy experience, Jahn obtained a B.S. in Education from the University of Toledo, OH and later obtained an M.S. in Science Education from UW Madison. Jahn then moved his family to Port Edwards, WI in 1951 where they spent the next 15 years.

In Port Edwards, Jahn was a high school science and math teacher and also coached football and curling. He then expanded his career to become principal (still teaching and coaching) and eventually became Superintendent of Schools for the Port Edwards school district (JEHS). His time spent at JEHS (K-12) was greatly respected and admired.

In 1967, Jahn moved the family to Middleton, WI where he worked at the Department of Public Instruction in Madison until retirement in 1985. Jahn and Esther moved from their home in Middleton to Oakwood Village in Madison in 2011. During the 48 years spent in the Middleton/Madison area, Jahn became well-known for his volunteer activities such as donating over 30 gallons of blood to the Red Cross, serving on the buildings and grounds committee for many years at their church (Middleton Community UCC), driving seniors around for 30 years with the Middleton Outreach Ministry, Oakwood Village, fixing anybody and everybody's lawn mowers, clocks, watches, cars, motorcycles and anything mechanical. He and Esther were honored with being voted the "Good Neighbors" for the Middleton Good Neighbor Festival. Jahn was also known by every dog who ever walked by as they'd pull their owner into Jahn's garage to be handed a dog biscuit and friendly scratch and pat on the head.

Jahn's life was marked by many highlights of family, study, travel, hobbies and wild adventures. He was involved with the Sons of Norway and Ygdrasil Norwegian Literary Society for many years. He and his brother planted 6,000 trees in 1957 on the family's woodlot. He obtained his pilot's license in 1988 after retirement. He and Esther traveled extensively with trips taking them to Alaska several times, Norway twice, Cayman Islands, Canada, Switzerland, a French barge trip, Peru, Galapagos Islands, Costa Rica and several places in the U.S. His big smile was so evident while backpacking in Wyoming at 70 years of age, zip lining through the treetops in Costa Rica, climbing Machu Picchu, anaconda hunting at night in the Peruvian jungle, stepping over sea lions in the Galapagos Islands, enjoying their 2 houseboats, 1 airplane, 3 travel trailers, panning for gold in Alaska, piloting a barge in France while drinking coffee and many more adventures.

Jahn loved: his family, pie, all dogs, one cat, all desserts, the smile and hug of a child, lefse, Esther's chili, eggadosis, singing Norwegian songs with his still-strong voice, nature, reading a good mystery or Western, AFS (American Field Service) students, learning and teaching, fixing anything, Norwegian humor, telling a good joke, flying his airplane, Norwegian Christmas with the family, the northern Wisconsin woodlot, the Green Bay Packers, entertaining the great/grandkids and more pie.

He loved us. We loved him. His legacy continues through all of us.
Thank you God for this incredible man! We look forward to seeing him again!

The celebration of Jahn's life will be held on Saturday, July 25 at the Middleton Community UCC (United Church of Christ), 645 Schewe Rd., Middleton, WI 53562. There will be a visitation at 4:00 pm, a celebration of Jahn's life at 5:00 pm followed by a light meal at 6:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions can be made to the Middleton Community UCC Church in memory of Jahn.

Cress Funeral and Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road, Madison
(608) 238-3434