Esther Nora Tinglum

Esther Nora Tinglum, 98, of Madison WI passed away on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Oakwood Village in Madison with her family around her. She was born on February 10,1926 in Minot, North Dakota. She was the daughter of Nora and Howard Oberlin.  

She met Jahn, the man of her dreams, while singing in the church choir. After meeting him, Esther’s mother said, “It’s him or nobody!" So, she married him. She married Jahn Tinglum on June 15,1947 after he returned from WWII. 

Esther was most proud of being a wife, a mother and a homemaker.  She and Jahn were very active as volunteers in the American Field Service program (AFS), and MOMS and POPs program. They were also active members of the Middleton Community Church for over 50 years. 
Esther enjoyed knitting, cooking, painting, ceramics, tailoring, hunting, ice skating, and most of all, caring for her family.

Esther loved traveling with her husband Jahn as they traveled the world in houseboats, trains, RVs and airplanes. They were known to go to places such as Europe, the Caribbean, and South, North and Central America. She truly appreciated the opportunity to travel due to her humble beginnings in life. 

Esther and Jahn were honored to receive the award as Good Neighbors for the 2009 Good Neighbor Festival in Middleton. 
They are survived by their daughter Penny Derringer (Jay Maynard), daughter Liesel Reilly (Tim Reilly), son Hillis Tinglum (Cathy Tinglum), and son Jay Tinglum (available!). She is survived by her grandchildren Bren, Becca, Adam, Kirsten, Jacqueline, Jack, Nick, Jahn, Lisa, and Michelle. She also has 9 great grandchildren. Esther was preceded in death by her husband Jahn and Sharon, Margie and Tyler. 

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at 1 pm in the chapel at Oakwood Village West in Madison. There will be a private family celebration later in the year.

Esther was known for her love of family and was a prayer warrior.  She was also known for her love of animals and her great care for others.  Her great capacity for love expanded even beyond her family. She was willing to give of herself both physically and emotionally to those around her. She was a hard worker, organizer, wonderful hostess, generous, kindhearted, good listener, saw the positive side of life, and was not a complainer.

Esther and Jahn made an incredible team. They were different from each other but used those differences to complement and complete each other with their different strengths. 

…they had a great life.

Cress Funeral Home
3610 Speedway Road
Madison, WI 53705