Lillian Louise Stege, 85

Lillian was born Aug. 5, 1924 in St. Charles, Ill., to Clara and Earl Cook. Her mother passed away when Lillian was 9 years old and she and her brother lived with their grandparents in Elburn until she married Nils Martin Haggstrom, from Varmland, Sweden, in 1947. They had one daughter, Clara. Lillian cared for her grandparents until their death, then she and her family moved to New Port Riche, Fla., and later back to Batavia, Ill. After divorce, she married Harold Stege and they lived in Superior, Wis. After his death, she moved to Montana in 1995, to be near her family. Lillian spent many happy years, always busy with crafts to give to friends and loved ones. She loved taking her gladiolas and baked goods to friends. She loved her white cats and family get-togethers. She loved people and had many dear and kind friends. The past year she spent in the loving care of Immanuel Lutheran Home. Lillian went peacefully to her heavenly home May 14, 2010. Lillian was preceded in death by her mother, Clara; her father, Earl; grandmother and grandfather, May and Frank Cook; Nils Martin Haggstrom; Harold Stege; brother, Ken Cook; and several aunts and uncles. She is survived by her daughter, Clara, and her husband, John Nelson, of Whitefish; grandchildren, Jan Trainer and Todd and Taylor Nasland of Kalispell, and Joshua and Amber Nelson of Amarillo, Texas; five great-grandchildren, Heather Trainer of Billings, Jaimie and Jessica Trainer of Kalispell, and Ethan and Madison Nelson of Amarillo; and three nieces and a nephew. A family graveside service will be held at Glacier Memorial Gardens with Pastor Ron Meyers of the Kalispell Church of the Nazarene officiating.