Lillian Holstad, 1917-2016

Published 9:14 am Thursday, May 26, 2016

Lillian Holstad, 99, of rural Northwood died Monday, May 23, 2016, at Lutheran Retirement Home in Northwood.

Funeral services were at 10:30 a.m. today at Lime Creek Synod Lutheran Church in rural Lake Mills. The Rev. David Emmons officiated. Visitation was from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Mittelstadt Funeral Home, 902 E. Main St. in Lake Mills. Burial took place at Somber Cemetery in rural Lake Mills.

Lillian Holstad

Lillian Harriet Holstad was born March 9, 1917, near Hartland, daughter of August and Matilda (Halvorson) Miller. On April 14, 1943, Lillian was united in marriage to Odis Holstad in New Richland.

Lillian loved her family. She enjoyed dancing and music and was an 18-year member of Worth County Women’s Chorus. She was church organist for over 50 years and was an organist and soloist for many weddings and funerals.

She enjoyed bowling and was a member of the Albert Lea Women’s Bowling Association’s Hall of Fame.  She was known for her wonderful donuts, strawberry jam, ripe cucumber pickles and also for knitting many sweaters for many people. She had worked for Montgomery Wards in Albert Lea for many years, and later worked as bookkeeper for Carroll George and B&K Lumber in Northwood.

She is survived by her children Marleen Holstad, Dale (Laura) Holstad and LaDonna Holstad, all of Northwood; grandchildren Adriane (Chris) Benson, Jason Holstad and fiancee Brittney Stearns, Andria Baas and Jennifer Holstad; great-grandchildren Bailee and Hunter Benson, Sierra Bergo, Roslind and Lillian Baas; along with other relatives and friends.

Lillian was preceded in death by her parents; one daughter in infancy; her husband, Odis, in 1994; son, Lee, in 2003; grandson, Scott Eugene Holstad, in 1973; daughter-in-law, Linda, in 2015; brothers Archer and Osmer; and sisters Alma Stene and Helen Liane.