Obituary of Lila Elouise (Whitney) Lillis

Lila Elouise (Whitney) Lillis was born May 30, 1933 to Ellis and Clarice (Beckett) Whitney on the family farm in Rush Lake Township, Ottertail County, Minnesota. She passed away peacefully at home in Silver Bay on November 21, 2018. Lila was a stay at home mom and a nanny and she loved to rock babies. She sewed, knitted and baked homemade bread and cookies galore. Her gift of hospitality was evident throughout her life as she generously welcomed everyone into her home. She loved them as her own and they considered her a treasure as well. Lila belonged to the United Protestant Church, was active in multiple roles and was the janitor for many years. Lila was employed at the Mariner Motel (reception and housekeeping) and when asked, she loved to confess to being a "stripper" for comedic effect. Lila earned her GED, worked as a CNA and as a laundress at the Minnesota Veterans Home, sold VFW pull tabs and volunteered at Split Rock Lighthouse. She semi-retired to stay home and take care of her late husband Les. Her social and volunteer activities included; Cub scouts, PTA, Silver-Beaver gun club and VFW ladies auxiliary life member. Lila enjoyed camping, fishing, hosting annual Deer Camp, nature walks, lilacs, rabbits, deer, feeding hummingbirds and song birds and tending her flower gardens. Les and Lila enjoyed monthly get togethers with their Gun Club friends. Lila was blessed with a cheerful disposition that set the mood in her home. She woke her sleepyhead children and grandchildren with a silly and blissfully out of tune "Good Morning to You" song and dance. Singing to her great grand babies continued, although dancing became impossible. God's unconditional love was expressed through her devotion to family and friends. While not a perfect person, she was perfect for us and we were abundantly blessed to have her guide, protect and love us so well. She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, William Ernest Leslie (Les) Lillis, daughter Kyla, brother Robert, sisters Avis, Karen, and Myra (Net). She will be dearly missed by her children, Randall, Rex (Jan), Roxanne, Gwynne, Tamera (Leroy), Kent, grandchildren, Noel, Amber, Robert, Jessica, Mellissa, Miranda, Adelia, Bryan, Nysjah, Lindsay, Mitchell, Curtis, Gregory, Kelsey, Candice, Kristy, 40 great grandchildren, 2 great, great grandchildren, sisters Margie, Lora Lee (Glenn), Ellen (Pat), Wilma (Bob), brother Myron, and numerous cherished nephews, nieces and relatives. Memorial: Saturday, Dec 1st, 11am, United Protestant Church in Silver Bay, MN. Burial: Sunday, June 23rd, 11am, Richville Cemetery, Richville, MN.