Tillie Saulsbury

illie Brayko Thurlow Saulsbury died March 8 at the Mandan Living Center. She was born Jan. 24, 1921, to Mary (deceased 1960) and Onfrey (deceased 1958) in Canada and moved with her family near Scobey, Montana.
1. She loved to discuss opposing views engaging in debating current events and issues.

After marrying William Lloyd Thurlow in Scobey, the couple relocated to Wahpeton, N.D., where she was a homemaker and Lloyd worked for the Great Northern Railroad. After Lloyd's death Oct. 26, 1978, she remained in Wahpeton where she met and married Harold "Snow" Saulsbury Nov. 11, 1981, who passed June 27, 1987. Tillie relocated to Bismarck in 2002 when she moved into the Waterford's Assisted Living Unit.

Tillie and Lloyd raised seven children: Jean (Bruce) Kuehn, of Parker, Colo.; Joan (Dennis) Madsen, of West Fargo, N.D.; Judith "Judy" (HR) Johnston, of Douglas, Wyo.; William "Bill" Thurlow (deceased); Jaraine "Jari" (Gus) Mohs, of Ames, Iowa; Jacqueline "Jackie" (Tom) Simmer, of Bismarck, N.D.; and Bryan (Carrie) Thurlow, of Castle Pines, Colo.

Tillie enjoyed her 12 grandchildren: Jeff (Julie) Kuehn, Misha (Pat) Smithwick, JR (Carleen) Madsen, Stephanie Hickel, Tyler (Candace) Johnston, Rachel Johnston, Sommer (Jeff) Donahoe, Tom (Kim) Simmer, Heidi (Casey) Miller, and Breeanna (finance Blake Norton), Brandon and Brett Thurlow,

Tillie was known as "GREAT" to her 12 great-grandchildren: Mathew Kuehn, Tanner and Kyleigh Smithwick; Jourdan Harty; Grace and Isaac Madsen; Bradlei, Diem, Tai and Brighton Johnston; Jackson and Sylvia Donahoe; and Ellie Simmer.

In addition to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Tillie is survived by one brother, four sisters-in-law, and one brother-in-law; and many nieces and nephews. She was also preceded in death by her son Bill; six brothers and two sisters; and many brothers- and sisters-in-law.

While in Wahpeton, Tillie's work history includes: U.S. Census taker, United Way campaign; bookkeeper for Thurlow Manufacturing, the family business; child care provider; Immigrant Services nursery supervisor; Alzheimer care provider; volunteered for a number of political campaigns; and working in fabricating at 3M.

As a Wahpeton resident, Tillie was an active member of Bethel Lutheran Church volunteering for a number of committees and participated in the Women's Circle. However, after leaving Wahpeton, she participated in the worship opportunities at the Waterford's Chapel in Bismarck and for the last two years at the Mandan Living Center. She was a Lifetime Member of the VFW and was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, traveling the country as an instructor.

Tillie's favorite activities include volunteering; reading; living at Ottertail Lake; visiting with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends; cooking; and oil painting.

Tillie made sure her children had: Easter hats and gloves, and fancy dresses; birthday celebrations; family dinners; confirmations; graduations; weddings; family holidays; and much more. She shared her life and love with her children and their spouses, her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She taught us to share, be a part of a family, clean, cook, wash, iron, do dishes, garden, and yard work. We now realize what it took to raise five girls and two boys.

Tillie had very limited eyesight during the last several years and had limited mobility, but she still enjoyed listening to books on tape, listening to TV shows about world news and current affairs, book reading sessions, Bible study, listening to music – her favorite music composer was Andrew Lloyd Weber.
5 things you should know about our Mother:
2. She loved to wear 3-inch high heels.
3. She loved Chinese sweet and sour chicken.
4. She hated barley soup.
5. She was a lifelong Democrat