Services for Lillian Newton

Johnson Funeral Service, Thief River Falls, MN

Lillian Newton of Grygla, MN, died peacefully on Friday, June 26, 2015 at Thief River Care Center in Thief River Falls, MN with her loving family at her side at the age of 94.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, July 2, 2015 at Grace Lutheran Church in Grygla, MN, with Rev. Vicki Saude-Worthington officiating. Burial will follow at St. Olaf Cemetery, Grygla, MN.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM with a 7:00 PM Prayer Service on Wednesday, July 1, 2015 at Johnson Funeral Service, Thief River Falls, MN. Visitation will also take place one hour prior to the funeral service on Thursday at the church.

Lillian Petra Sorenson was born on March 17, 1921 at home in Espelie Township, Marshall County, the daughter of Melvin and Mollie (Mikkelson) Sorenson. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Grygla, MN. Lillian attended Espelie Country School. She also attended school in Goodridge and graduated from Lincoln High School in Thief River Falls in 1939.

On January 12, 1940 Lillian was united in marriage to Norman Ordean Newton at the parsonage in Grygla. They made their home in Grygla until 1948 when they moved to the farm where she lived until her death. In 1990 Lillian and Norman celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

Lillian started working with her husband at the Grygla Locker Plant once her children were in school. When her youngest was born they took her with. Together they worked there until their retirement in 1988. She also helped Norman on the family farm.

As the director of the Modern Woodman Junior Service Club in Grygla for 17 years, Lillian organized many activities for the area children. She was a lifetime member of Grace Lutheran Church, active member of the Grace Lutheran Women, served as superintendent for the Sunday School, and taught Sunday School and Bible School. Lillian was known for her lutefisk cooking skills for the church suppers. She helped to sew many quilts for her church and enjoyed sewing many more for her family. Lillian was a member of the Grygla American Legion Auxiliary.

Besides quilting and cooking, she enjoyed dancing, crocheting, gardening, picnics, family gatherings, and watching WWE wrestling.

Lillian was a proud wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great great-grandmother. Her family was her pride and joy.

She is survived by her children, Dale (Mavis) Newton of Thief River Falls, MN, Rodney Newton of Thief River Falls, MN, Lyle Newton of Grygla, MN, Cathy Newton of Grygla, MN, Dannie Newton of Holt, MN, and Lisa Swanson of Grygla, MN; 14 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; six great great-grandchildren; brother, Wilford “Bud” (Irene) Sorenson of Lindstrom, MN; sisters-in-law, Myrtle Gonnering of Port Huron, MI and Christine Newton of Eagan, MN, and many nieces, nephews,
great-nieces and great-nephews, cousins, relatives, and friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Norman; son-in-law, Timothy Swanson; granddaughter, Sara Corneliusen; her parents; and siblings, Katherine, Inez, Myra, Raymond, and Myron “Jack”; and nieces, Diane Sorenson and Robin Trombley.

Richards Publishing

P.O. Box 159
239 2nd Ave
Gonvick, MN 56644
Telephone: (218) 487-5225
email: richards@gvtel.com

 

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