Allen R. Tillett

Allen R. Tillett, 74 of Devils Lake formerly of Cavalier, ND died on Thursday evening, April 27, 2017 at Altru Hospital, Grand Forks, ND. Funeral Services for Allen will be held on Tuesday, May 2, 2017 at 10:15 a.m. at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake.  Allen requested that everyone come dressed casually as if you were coming to sit down and have a cup of good coffee and good conversation at the house. Graveside Services will be on Tuesday, May 2, 2017 at 3:00 p.m. at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, rural Mandan, ND with military honors accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars and the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Team. Allen was born on January 24, 1943 at Grafton, ND the son of Herb and Katherine (Meagher) Tillett. He was reared in the Bathgate area and graduated from Crookston High School with the class of 1961.  On March 1, 1964, Allen began a twenty year career with the North Dakota Army National Guard in Cavalier. He retired as a Staff Sergeant on October 1, 1984.  After his discharge, Allen owned and operated the Office Bar in Cavalier for the next 20 years.  While living in Cavalier, Allen served as a member of the Cavalier Fire Department and also was at one time the Commander of the Kern-Thompson American Legion Post #77 in Pembina, ND.  After selling the bar, Allen worked as an over-the-road trucker and roller operator until 2008, when he officially retired due to increasing health problems.  He has lived and called Devils Lake home with his wife Alberta “Birdie” whom he married on January 3, 1995 in Rugby, ND since 2001.  Allen faced life head-on, loved his country, family and friends with all his heart and wants his memory to be of the happy times. Allen is survived by his wife, Birdie; sons Greg (Robin) Tillett, Thief River Falls, MN and Grant (Hope) Tillett, Watertown, SD and daughter Claudia (Curt) Kaercher, Cavalier, ND; grandchildren Keaton, Bentley, twin boys Blake and Bryton, Denton, Derek and twin girls Caitlyn and Carissa; many nieces and nephews including special nieces Roxie (Terry) Kalis and Raela (Tim) Kalis. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother John and Charles and sister Jean and Eileen.