Lillian Thorstad

Lillian Evelyn was born on September 13, 1917, on the family farm west of Erdahl in Grant County, to Helmer and Olina (Lien) Olson. She was baptized and confirmed at the Erdahl Lutheran Church. As a child she attended school at District #13 through the eighth grade. The following fall she attended Elbow Lake High School, riding to school on the bus that Tenny Hanson built to transport students from the Erdahl rural township to the high school in Elbow Lake. On July 7, 1934, Lillian was united in marriage to Myron L. Moe at St. John's Lutheran Church in Elbow Lake. They resided on the Christian Moe family farm in Barrett until 1937, when they rented farm in Grant County. To this union four children were born, Gloria, Duane, Ronald and Curtis, who died in infancy. Lillian was an active member of the Erdahl Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday school in the 1940's. She was a member of the Ladies Aid Association and was supportive to her children in church and school activities, as well as 4-H Club. Lillian also enjoyed the outdoors with family and friends, camping and fishing. At home she often could be found working in her vegetable garden or around the flower beds. Lillian enjoyed many hours of needlework and sewing, especially her many quilts. She always looked forward to visits with her children and extended family and took loving joy in cooking. One of her specialties, and a favorite to all, was her excellent lefsa! After suffering a tragic fall in the spring of 1999 at a new home construction site, Lillian was hospitalized in Alexandria and convalesced at the Barrett Care Center. She eventually made the facility her home by 2002, and the staff made her feel welcome and did a wonderful job of taking care of her. Lillian was dearly loved and will be missed by her family and friends. She passed away on Monday, August 19, 2013, at the age of 95 years. She enjoyed a long, full and happy life. Lillian is survived by her daughter Gloria (Dave) Briggs of Mound, Minnesota, and son Duane Moe of Garfield; nine grandchildren, Michael Briggs, Brian Briggs, Leroy Moe, Larry Moe, Douglas Moe, Dale Moe, Rebecca (Moe) Riner, Jenny Moe, Christopher Moe, and fifteen great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. Her sister-in-law, Ruby Olson of Morris, also survives her. She is preceded in death by her husband LeMay Thorstad, who died just a day before (August 18, 2013), her first husband Myron Moe, and two sons, Curtis (1942) and Ronald (1997); five brothers, Clarence, Carroll, Raymond, Lawrence and Virgil; two sisters, Bernice and Maryann; and her parents. Memorial Service: 11 am Thursday, August 22, 2013, Messiah Lutheran Church, Hoffman Clergy: Rev. Nathan Thompson Cemetery: Land Cemetery, Hoffman Visitation: one hour prior to service

Funeral Home: Erickson-Smith Funeral Home - Hoffman 103 7th Street North Hoffman, MN US 56339

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Previous Events

Visitation
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Service
Thursday, August 22, 2013
cemetery
Thursday, August 22, 2013