Lillian Inez Troftgruben

Lillian Inez Troftgruben, age 92, formerly of Edinburg, ND passed away on Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at the Good Samaritan Center of Park River. Lillian Inez Bakken was born June 29, 1919 at the Bakken Farmstead in Dewey Township, Southwest of Fairdale, the daughter of the late Andrew and Thora (Dahl) Bakken. They immigrated from Nord Odal, Norway. She grew up on the family farm and attended Dewey school. She was united in marriage to Harold Troftgruben on March 17, 1940 at the parsonage in Edinburg. They were blessed with 70 years of marriage. The couple lived and farmed in Tiber Township until they moved into an apartment in Edinburg. Lillian was a wonderful wife, mother, sister, grandmother and great grandmother. She was a member of Odalen and Trinity Lutheran Churches in Edinburg. She was actively involved in the Trinity Choir, Ladies Aide (ALCW), Bible Camp lutefisk & lefse dinners, VBS, served as Sunday School Teacher and numerous church activities. She enjoyed quilting, bowling, hospital visitations and traveling throughout the U.S. visiting family and friends. Lillian is survived by her three sons: Hartley (Vonnie), Eugene, OR; Charles (Sharon), Fargo, ND and Peoria, AZ; Irvin (Marilyn), Grand Forks, ND; one daughter: Faye (Fred) Kohlmeyer, Palm Beach Gardens, FL; eleven grandchildren: Sheri Troftgruben, Philomath, OR: Troy Troftgruben, Lake Oswego, OR; Shelley Jenniges & Darby Troftgruben, Fargo, ND; Dan Troftgruben & Shanon Rath, Peoria, AZ; Ryan Steinolfson, Jupiter, FL; Corey Troftgruben, Spokane, WA; Tami Votava, East Grand Forks, MN; Brian Troftgruben, Edinburg, ND; Bradley Troftgruben, Newcastle, WY; four step-grandchildren: Carol Riley, Stone Mountain, GA; Diane Kohlmeyer, Cliff Kohlmeyer and Clay Kohlmeyer all of Florida, 23 great grandchildren, five step great grandchildren , one great great grandchild and one step great great grandchild. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Harold, brothers: Arnold and Lloyd Bakken and sisters: Anna Westby, Mabel Haug and Dagney Haug. Funeral services will be Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 11:00 A.M. at Trinity Lutheran Church of Edinburg, ND. Visitation will be Monday from 5-7 PM with a prayer service at 7:00 PM at the Tollefson Funeral Home of Edinburg. Friends may also call at the church on Tuesday for one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at Odalen Lutheran Cemetery, rural Edinburg. In lieu of flowers the family would prefer memorials to Odalen Lutheran Cemetery.