Lillian Svendsen

Lillian E. Svendsen, 89, Elbow Lake, died peacefully at her home on Saturday, September 17, 2011. She was born on May 10, 1922, to Erick and Mina (Rustad) Alvstad on the family farm in Pelican Lake Township, Grant County, Minnesota. She was baptized and confirmed at the Pelican Lake Lutheran Church, attended District #9 country school, and graduated from Elbow Lake High School in 1941. Lillian continued her education at the Rasmussen Business College in St. Paul and began working for the Great Northern and Omaha Railways. On June 15, 1946, Lillian and Baldwin Warren Svendsen were united in marriage at the Arlington Hills Presbyterian Church in St. Paul. The couple made their home in St. Paul for the next 50 years. They enjoyed spending their summers at the Pelican Lake cabin near Cross Lake, Minnesota. In 1986, they moved to a home on Pomme de Terre Lake, where Lillian lived until two years ago, when she moved into an apartment in Elbow Lake. Lillian and Baldwin traveled all over the country and Canada and enjoyed dancing. Lillian loved baking and even entered baking contests. She also enjoyed flower and vegetable gardening, canning, and making pickles. She is survived by her children Kathryn (Carter) Watkins of White Bear Lake, Karen (Kevin) Johnson of Merrifield, Karla (Kenneth) Johnson of St. Paul, Kay Zisk of Cross Lake, and Keif Svendsen of White Bear Lake; two sisters, Mae Wick and Edna Strom, both of Elbow Lake, and brothers Lyle (Vernie) Alvstad of Fergus Falls and Marcus (Ardis) Alvstad of Elbow Lake, and sister-in-law Amelia Alvstad of Hoffman; nine grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren, Jonathan (Anna) Watkins and their children Hanna, David, Sophie and Lydia; Allison (Peter) Allatt and their children Samuel, Adler, and Simon; Erin (Greg) Webb and their daughter Gracie; Sarah (Nick) Kallise; Jesse (Nicole) Johnson and children Riley and Annabelle; Megan (Steve Patrin) Johnson; Jacob (Mary Foster) Johnson; Nicholas Zisk; and April Hall; and many nieces and nephews. Other survivors also include Owen Hall and Danny Notley. Lillian was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Baldwin, brother Carl Alvstad, and sisters Grace Waugh and Ellen Friske. Funeral Service: 1:00 pm Thursday, Sept. 22, 2011, Peace Lutheran Church, Ashby Clergy: Rev. Carol Olson Burial: Erdahl Lutheran Cemetery, Elbow Lake Visitation: 5-7pm Wed., Sept. 21, Erickson-Smith Funeral Home, Elbow Lake; one hour before the service at church Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers.

Funeral Home: Erickson-Smith Funeral Home - Elbow Lake 116 1st Street NE Elbow Lake, MN US 56531

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Previous Events

Visitation
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Service
Thursday, September 22, 2011
cemetery
Thursday, September 22, 2011