Bernice Lilleodden

FUNERAL SERVICES : 11:00 A.M. Thursday, December 3, 2009 at the Calvary Lutheran Church in Park Rapids, MN with Rev. Steve Norby officiating.VISITATION : 4-7:00 P.M. Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids and for one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday, December 3. INTERMENT : Greenwood Cemetery in Park Rapids.SURVIVORS : Bernice will be lovingly remembered by her husband of over 50 years, Orvis Lilleodden of rural Menahga, MN; two daughters: Dawn (Lloyd) Trullinger of New Ulm, MN, Denise (Brian) Flynn of Park Rapids, MN; three sons: Lu (Kim) Lilleodden of New Ulm, MN, Cory (Christine) Lilleodden of Park Rapids, MN, and Orlin Lilleodden of Menahga, MN; 16 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren; three sisters: Joann (Les) Anderson, Audrey (Stub) Steinle, Carol (Duane) Marstone; two brothers: Orville (Adeline) Blekestad, and Jerry (Linda) Blekestad along with other relatives and many friends. BERNICE LILLEODDEN September 23, 1943 " November 29, 2009 Bernice Lilleodden, age 68, of Frazee, MN formerly of rural Wolf Lake, MN passed away on Sunday, November 29, 2009 at the Frazee Care Center in Frazee, MN following a valiant battle against ALS (Lou Gehrig Disease). Bernice was born to Evan and Bessie (Firchau) Blekestad on September 23, 1943 in St. James, MN. She attended school in St. James graduating from St. James High School with the class of 1959. As a young woman, she enjoyed roller-skating at the local roller rink. It was on one of these outings that Orvis Lilleodden first saw her and was smitten. Bernice was evasive at first, but Orvis was persistent. On June 27, 1954 Bernice and Orvis were united in marriage. Their union was blessed with five wonderful children: Dawn, Denise, Lu, Cory and Orlin. The young couple made their home in rural Hanska, MN where Bernice took great care in providing a warm and loving home for her growing family. She also worked outside the home as a dietary aid at the Lutheran Memorial Home in Madelia, MN. She was active in the Lake Hanska Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday school for over 30 years. She was also a member of the ladies aid group at Lake Hanska Lutheran Church. In 1998, Bernice and Orvis made the move to rural Wolf Lake, MN to their new home on Little Blueberry Lake. Bernice enjoyed the wildlife especially the birds. She could name each species that came to her feeders. She loved to watch the deer and on occasion they came near enough for her to touch. Bernice truly liked to clean and cook. She was an avid Twins and Vikings fan who followed her teams through the good and not so good seasons. She often traveled with friends and family to the casino where she employed a number of rituals to improve her odds of winning. Bernice worked part time at the Pamida store in Park Rapids and was an Avon Representative. In 2007, Bernice was diagnosed with ALS which slowed her body, but not her spirit. She was the "Lady with the smile" to those that cared for her. Although her ability to communicate was inhibited she shared her love with her smile. Bernice will be lovingly remembered by her husband of over 50 years, Orvis Lilleodden of rural Menahga, MN; two daughters: Dawn (Lloyd) Trullinger of New Ulm, MN, Denise (Brian) Flynn of Park Rapids, MN; three sons: Lu (Kim) Lilleodden of New Ulm, MN, Cory (Christine) Lilleodden of Park Rapids, MN, and Orlin Lilleodden of Menahga, MN; 16 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren; three sisters: Joann (Les) Anderson, Audrey (Stub) Steinle, Carol (Duane) Marstone; two brothers: Orville (Adeline) Blekestad, and Jerry (Linda) Blekestad along with other relatives and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and one granddaughter, Andrea Flynn. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, December 3, 2009 at the Calvary Lutheran Church in Park Rapids, MN with Rev. Steve Norby officiating. Active Casketbearers will be her grandsons: Matt Scholtz, Brent Kollmann, Justin Trullinger, Andrew Trullinger, Cody Trullinger, and Jordan Trullinger. Honorary Casketbearers will be her grandchildren: Jen brunner, Crystal Preston, Brooke Lilleodden, Laura Flynn, Sadie Trullinger, Whitney Lilleodden, Bryce Brovitch, Owen Lilleodden, Hunter Lilleodden and Zachery Lilleodden. Interment will be made in the Greenwood Cemetery in Park Rapids. A luncheon will be hosted at the church following the services for all to attend. Visitation will be held from 4-7:00 P.M. Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids and for one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday, December 3.