Leslie Carlyle Tiedman, 92, of Wells, died Sunday, April 21, 2013, at Parkview Care Center in Wells. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Wells. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Military honors will be provided by the Wells color guard. The Rev. Kathy Fullarton will officiate and interment will be in Rosehill Cemetery. Please see www.brussheitner.com to leave online condolences. Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells is in charge of arrangements.

Leslie Carlyle Tiedman was born Dec. 30, 1920, in Lake Mills, the son of Carl and Lottie (Thompson) Tiedman. He was united in marriage to Carmen Martinson on July 15, 1945, in Albert Lea. Les graduated from Lake Mills High School and served in the Army Air Corps during World War II. He flew in B-17s, the Flying Fortress, as a tail gunner and was a prisoner of war for 18 months. He received awards for his service.

After the war, Les married Carmen Martinson and they settled in Forest City, Iowa. He worked as a butter maker in Forest City, Vinje and Scarville, Iowa, where he also served as the mayor. In 1960, Les moved his family to Wells to manage the Lincoln Co-op Creamery. After many years as a butter maker he went to work for Del Monte Foods. He retired in 1987.

He was an avid fisherman and loved spending time on Cass Lake. He loved playing golf. He enjoyed driving his car and taking in the scenery. His favorite pastime was talking to people, meeting new people and telling his great stories. Even though his memories of World War II were painful, in his later years he considered it his duty to share them with others. Most of all, he loved his family and adored his granddaughters and great-grandchildren. He will always be remembered for his kind words and compassion.

He is survived by his daughter, Susan (Richard) Pedersen of Plymouth; son, Richard (Cindy Vigil) Tiedman of Albuquerque, N.M.; three grandchildren, Molly (Matt) Thomas of Shakopee, Abby Pedersen of Minnetonka and Jennifer Best of Phoenix, Ariz.; great-grandchildren, Luke and Laney Thomas of Shakopee; his very special friend Millie Halvorson of Wells; sister-in-law, Geneva Martinson of Owatonna; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Carmen; his parents; sister, Bernice (Bud) Wehman; brothers, Orin (Charlotte) Tiedman and Don (Betty) Tiedman; brothers-in-law, Joe (Ruth) Martinson, Vernon (Josephine) Martinson and Royden Martinson; and sisters-in-law, Orene (Melvin) Sanden and Arlene (Ralph) Gordon.