Lillian Monson

Lillian Ethel Monson, age 89, of Spooner, WI, passed away Saturday evening, May 2, 2015.     Lillian was born in Eagle Butte, South Dakota, on May 20, 1925, a daughter of the late Fred Anderson and Viola Margaret (Seymour) Breezley. Her family moved to the Markville-Cloverton area of Pine County, MN, when she was a child. She attended local public schools and was a 1943 graduate of Markville High School.     On December 1, 1944, Lillian was united in marriage to Melvin Monson at the Markville Presbyterian Church. They both were very good singers and were asked to sing at their own wedding reception. She assisted Melvin in the operation of their farm while raising five children. She would also deliver fresh eggs and milk to people in the area.     Lillian was a very active, committed member of Markville Presbyterian Church serving as the Christian Endeavor Leader, Sunday School Teacher, and Vacation Bible School Teacher. She was a member of the Ladies Aide assisting at meetings, Hunters suppers, and funeral luncheons. She also provided her time and support for church relief programs for those that were less fortunate. Lillian played the organ and piano, sang in the church choir, and sang duets with Melvin at church services and at funerals. She served on the Markville Presbytery and attended Session meetings in Duluth. She assisted in finding and securing clergy and other speakers for church services and activities. Lillian was known to stay up late embroidering and crocheting for the church bazaars, as well as baking fresh bread, cakes and pies, and making fudge and divinity candy. While living in Spooner, she attended Spooner Baptist Church with her family.     Lillian was also very involved with community and school events and activities. She was a correspondent to the Askov American, writing a news column for the weekly community newspaper that serves northern Pine County. She was a Religious Instruction Teacher at the Cloverton School, participated in the Hinckley Fire Memorial Play, organized and helped direct community plays and skits at the Markville and Cloverton Schools. One year, Lillian organized and directed the rehearsals of the ten young Monson kids to sing in a talent show in Sandstone. She was an involved member of the Markville Community Club, and helped to raise money to build the Markville Community Center. She also assisted at special cleanup days at Markville Cemetery.     Church and community were important in Lillian’s life, but family was no doubt central in her life. She raised her children in a traditional disciplined manner, and was considered the matriarch of the extended family. Lillian was a very giving and friendly person, and always welcomed people into her home. She was humble and non-judgmental, yet she was also strong in many different ways. She was known not to sit idly by when something needed to be accomplished, but was a take charge kind of person; a definite mover and shaker.     Lillian is preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Viola Breezley; her husband, Melvin, on November 12, 2007; brothers: infant Melvin Eldon Breezley, Joseph Wilfred (June) Breezley, and Delbert Lloyd (Gayle) Breezley; grandson, Daniel Monson; and brother-in-law, Marshall Field, Jr.     She is survived by 5 children: Donald Leroy (Jadwiga “Yadga”) Monson, Duane Edward (Nancy) Monson, Irene Lucille (Dan) Twaddle, Sharon Viola (Roy Jr.) Kline, and Curtis Lee (Rebecca “Becky”)Monson; 13 grandchildren: James (Audra) Monson, Dawn (Jason) Smith, and Jeremy (Brenda) Monson; Nicole Monson and David (Victoria) Monson; Andrew (Jamie) Twaddle, Julia Twaddle, and Rebekah Twaddle; Kimberly (Matthew) Hustad and Roy Kline III; and Steven Monson, Amber Monson, and Timothy Monson; and 14 great-grandchildren: Kayla, Benjamin, Abigail, and Isabella Smith; Michael, Jordyn, Christian, and Breeana Monson; Christina, Brittany, and Martina Monson; Emma and Alexandria Twaddle; and Kristina Agerbeck. Also surviving are her sister, Opal Lucille Field; brother-in-law, Maynerd H. Monson; and many nieces and nephews.     Relatives and friends may call between 5:00 and 8:00 pm, Thursday, May 7, 2015, at Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, 26530 Lakeland Ave. N, Webster, WI. The funeral service for Lillian Monson will be conducted at the funeral home at 11:00 am (visitation 10:00 to 11:00 am), Friday, May 8th, with Pastor Darrel L. Flaming officiating. Interment will be in Markville Cemetery, town of Arna, Pine County, MN. Pallbearers are: Andy Twaddle, Steven Monson, Matthew Hustad, Jason Smith, Benjamin Smith, and Kevin Monson.     Arrangements have been entrusted to Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Webster, WI, (715) 866-7131. Online condolences may be expressed at www.swedberg-taylor.com.