John Tilstra

Pastor John Tilstra, age 65, was called home by his Lord and Savior on September 11, 2025 after a short battle with cancer.

John was born on April 21, 1960 in Luverne, Minnesota, to John H. and Anna (Nyhuis) Tilstra. He graduated from Hills-Beaver Creek High School in 1978 before pursuing higher education at Mankato State University where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Education. He taught high-school English for 14 years in Sisseton, South Dakota, Hillsborough, Wisconsin, and Woodstock, Georgia.

On June 29, 1996 John married the love of his life, Leesa Tatz, in Woodstock on a very hot Georgia day. Together they were blessed with two wonderful children, John and Bekah.

After marrying Leesa, John answered the call to ministry and attended Reformed Theological Seminary in Florida, graduating with a Master’s of Divinity in May of 2001. He received his first call to pastoral ministry at Baileyville Reformed Church in Baileyville, Illinois where he served for nine years. In 2011, he answered his second call to Bethel Reformed Church in Brandon, continuing to inspire and guide his congregation with wisdom and compassion.

John was a founding board member and a passionate supporter of the Friends of the Brandon Public Library Board, where he served as president since 2018.

John’s greatest joy was connecting souls to Jesus. He was profoundly passionate about sharing the Gospel of Christ with a broken world and showing compassion and love to the least of these. His life was centered around Christ and growing the Kingdom of God.

In addition to his remarkable career, John found joy in gardening and woodworking, pursuits that brought him closer to nature and provided him with moments of reflection and creativity. Above all, he cherished spending time with his family.

John is survived by his beloved wife of 29 years, Leesa; a son, John (Elizabeth) Tilstra; a daughter, Bekah (Noah) Hiemstra; and a very special grandchild on the way. He also leaves behind his mother, Anna Tilstra; siblings: Raymond (Virginia) Tilstra, Linda (Howard) Soehl, and Cindy (Bob) Gannon; as well as his in-laws, Douglas (Nancy) Tatz and Roger (Karen) Tatz; and many aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

John was preceded in death by his father, John H. Tilstra; and his in-laws, Harold and Violet Tatz.

John will be remembered for his profound faith, his love for his family, and his service to others and the community.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at Bethel Reformed Church in Brandon from 3-7 p.m. and on Thursday at the church from 9:30-11 a.m. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at 11:30 a.m. at Bethel Reformed Church. Burial will be after the service at the Brandon Cemetery, followed by fellowship at Bethel. The funeral service will be live-streamed on the Bethel Church of Brandon Facebook and YouTube pages.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial to the John Tilstra family.