Thelma M. Dilger, known to family and friends as Tammy, passed away peacefully on October 20, 2026 at the age of 97. Tammy had resided in Teutopolis, Illinois for over 60 years and had been active in several card clubs over the course of many years. 

Tammy attended Barnes Commercial School in Denver, CO where she learned her outstanding secretarial skills. She was an excellent seamstress and even made her own wedding dress. She enjoyed traveling with her husband, Otto, of forty-six years. She also made several trips around the country, including a long train trip with her sister-in-law, Louise, and her family joked about the traveling duo of “Thelma and Louise.” For her 80th birthday, Tammy enjoyed a week-long celebration in Hawaii with her two daughters, daughter-in-law and two of her sisters.

A member of St. Francis Catholic Church, Tammy will always be remembered for her quiet strength, her kind and gentle spirit, her giving nature, her faith in God and love for her family. She taught her children that patience was a virtue, and she was a beautiful example of this.

Tammy left behind an incredible family legacy including her four children, James Dilger, Kenneth Dilger (wife, Karlene), Joleen Hoene (husband, Irv) and Kristine Tillman; nine grandchildren; twenty-one great grandchildren and six great great grandchildren along with bonus grand and great grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her sister, Connie Krause (husband, Rich).

She was preceded in death by her husband, Otto Dilger; a brother, Kermit Brumbaugh, sisters Phyllis Mathewson, Lois Gustafson, and Myra O’Donnell and her infant daughter, Mary Dilger.

Two of Tammy’s favorite sayings were “Books are your friends” and “Education is never wasted.” Therefore, it would be fitting to make any memorial donations to the donor’s local library or local school funds.

The Dilger family will hold a private burial of her cremains. May Tammy’s soul and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace; Amen.