Laura Bernice Lillegard

Laura Bernice Lillegard died peacefully Saturday, June 24, 2017 at Pathstone Living in Mankato.

Funeral service 11:00 a.m. Saturday July 8, 2017 at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church. Burial is at Pilgrims Rest Cemetery. Visitation Friday 5 – 8 p.m. and one hour before the service on Saturday all at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church. Memorials preferred to Mt. Olive Lutheran Church and the ELS Seminary at Bethany. Mankato Mortuary in charge of arrangements.

Laura was born July 5, 1926 in Kuling, China to the Rev. George and Bernice Lillegard while they were serving as missionaries. She graduated from Newton High School in Newton, MA. Laura then worked as a ward clerk in Children’s Hospital in Boston. She moved to Mankato and attended Bethany College. Laura was the AAL Secretary of its local chapter for 18 years. Laura was a caregiver for many local families including her own.

She was an active member of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church singing in its choir and taught Sunday school for 50 years. Laura was the family historian and was known for remembering each family member’s birthday. She loved reading, music, playing cards and socializing.

Laura is survived by sister, Alice (Daniel) Maxfield of Laurel, MD; two brothers, David (Ione) Lillegard of Sebastian, FL, Norman (Diane) Lillegard of Martin, TN; 32 nieces and nephews; many great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters, Elizabeth Honsey, Marjorie Shelvik-Borck; brothers, George and Lawrence and spouses.

The family expresses their gratitude for the loving ministry of care given to Laura at Pathstone.