Michael Tillmann, 78, Owatonna
Michael Leonard Tillmann passed away from complications of cancer at Owatonna Hospital on Aug. 17, 2025. He was 78 years old.
Visitation will be Monday, Sept. 22, 2025, from 4–7 p.m. at Brick-Meger Funeral Home, 1603 Austin Road, Owatonna. Funeral Service will be Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 512 South Elm Ave., Owatonna with visitation preceding from 9:30–10:30 a.m. at the church.
Mike was born in Prescott, Wis., on Nov. 28, 1946, to Harry and Anne (Keller) Tillmann. In 1964, he graduated from Prescott High. In 1968, he graduated from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls with a degree in English, speech and theater, while student teaching at Hayward High School in Hayward, Wis. He went on to teach in Thief River Falls, before earning his master’s degree in speech and communications from the University of North Dakota in 1972.
He met his wife, Mary Kaye (Kuntz) Tillmann, while both were teaching in Thief River Falls. They married on Dec. 26, 1970, and made their home in Marshall, where they became the beloved parents of Patrick, Megan, and Sean. The family moved to Owatonna in 1987.
Mike was an award-winning teacher of English, speech and theater at Marshall and Owatonna High Schools. He received the Ashland Oil Teacher Achievement Award in 1989, coached award-winning one-act plays and speech contestants, and was a finalist for State Teacher of the Year. He served as coordinator of Standards and Assessment at the Department of Education for four years and became executive director of the Board of Teaching for an additional four years.
His passion for teaching was unstoppable. Before retiring from the state board, he returned to the classroom at Park High School in Cottage Grove, for five years. After retirement, he continued to teach at Riverland Community College while also serving as a speech, theater, and debate consultant for the Minnesota State High School League where, in 2015, he was inducted into its Hall of Fame for his contributions to the fine arts.
Mike’s favorite pastimes were gardening, tending to his pristine lawn, and holding court at the kitchen table. And he was passionate about theater – he played the piano and sang, loved attending plays at the Guthrie, and directing summer productions at Fort Ridgely State Park and various community theaters across Minnesota. Throughout his life, he advised and inspired artists and students, many who cite him as a significant influence.
Mike is survived by his wife Mary Kaye; his sibling John (Beth) Tillmann of Gainesville, Fla.; his children Patrick Tillmann of Evanston, Ill.; Megan Tillmann of Malden, Mass.; and Sean (Laura) Tillmann-Hauser of Minneapolis; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents Harry and Anne; brother Gary Tillman and sister-in-law Wendy Tillmann.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that those wishing to make a donation in Mike’s memory please give to Mayo Clinic Cancer Research and Care (give.mayoclinic.org) or, if you prefer, the Owatonna Arts Endowment Center (oacarts.org/take-action). For more information or to leave an online message of condolence, go to www.megercares.com.