Lilly Leeper passed away peacefully on Monday, Dec. 31, 2012, shortly after asking about New Year’s Eve plans. She was born Feb. 19, 1918, in Albert Lea and graduated from high school in 1932. In 1948 she married Bud Leeper, who preceded her in death in 1954. She worked at Murphy Motor Freight, American Gas Machine, Sears Roebuck, Skinner-Chamberlin, the Albert Lea Clinic, Naeve Hospital and the Freeborn County Auditor’s Office, where she retired in 1980. She was a long-time member of First Lutheran Church. In 1998 she moved to Shoreview where she was a member of Incarnation Lutheran Church and lived at Shoreview Estates, Seasons of Maplewood, and most recently Lakeridge Care Center. Into her 90s she volunteered at the American Red Cross in Arden Hills, served meals at senior dining at the Shoreview Community Center and was very active in Friends of the Library at the Maplewood Public Library.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Ingeborg (Tonder) Heggelund and sisters Helen Heggelund and Alice Meixell. She is survived by her son, John (Linda Grohoski), grandchildren Anne and Thomas (Heather Lane), sister Viola Nelsen, nieces, Karen Trow, Joan Meixell, Merry McDermott and nephews, Jim Pilgrim (Debbie), Tom Pilgrim (Linda), David Pilgrim and Chris Leeper (Rena). Lilly had a quick wit and enjoyed talking with friends, family and neighbors.

The funeral will be held Monday at 3 p.m. at First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea.

Memorials to the American Red Cross preferred in lieu of flowers.