Theodore Nolan Tinquist, age 87, of Cohasset, Minnesota, gained his Heavenly wings on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, surrounded by his family at his residence.

Ted was born to Theodore and Lilly Tinquist in Grand Rapids, Minnesota in 1936. He attended Grand Rapids local schools and graduated from Grand Rapids High School in 1954. After high school graduation, he joined the United States Army Reserves and served for six years. Ted graduated from Bemidji State College in 1961 and that same year he married the love of his life Georgia "Jean" Sharbonda, together they had two daughters, Kim and Vicky.

Ted wore many hats in his career, beginning when he was in high school doing sign fabrication in his father's sign business. After college graduation he taught industrial arts in Michigan, worked at Blandin Paper Company on the construction crew, and was a foreman at Blandex; he was then the principal of Grace Christian School for five years. Ted later decided to be his own boss and he worked as a contractor and repair man until his retirement. He also served for 16 years in Aerial Fire Detection for the DNR; served on the Cohasset Fire Department for 20 years and was the president of the local chapter of Experimental Aviation Association for 16 years.

Ted's faith and family always came first with him, but flying was close second. His love of flying started when he was a youngster and his father owned and operated the Grand Rapids Airport. He got his pilot's license when he was 18 and later was able to own his own plane. Ted loved giving rides and sharing the love of flying with family and friends. He had a goal to get more young people interested in the sport of flying.

Ted is preceded in death by his parents; three unborn children; sister and brother-in-law, Phyllis and Bart Hoard, sister-in-law, Cherry Tinquist; and infant sister, Carol Jean.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Jean; daughters, Kimberly (Steve) Day and Vicky (Rich) Will; brothers, Jerry Tinquist, Paul (Dee) Tinquist, Carl (Nancy) Tinquist, Jon (Pearl) Tinquist, and Ken (Kathy) Tinquist; grandchildren, Jamie Berg (Jeff Smith), Jaclyn Berg (Patrick Warren), Jessica (Shaun) Wright, and Allie and Teddy Will. We can't leave out the great grandchildren, Isobel, Caiden, J.T. Peyton, Easton, Guinevere, Jaelynn, and Lillian; as well as countless nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, November 12, 2023, from 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM, at Libbey Funeral Home in Grand Rapids, Minnesota and then resuming on Monday, November 13, 2023, at 1:00 PM at Cohasset Community Bible Chapel in Cohasset, Minnesota, lasting until the 2:00 PM funeral service. Burial will be at Wildwood Cemetery in Cohasset, MN. Rev. Joel Rygh will officiate.