Lillian Anna (Nelson) Pinette

Lillian Anna (Nelson) Pinette was born in Leeds, North Dakota on October 13th, 1925 to Peter and Gudrun Nelson. As a young girl, her family moved from North Dakota to Bigfork, Minnesota. She grew up and attended school there, and after graduation worked for the Bigfork State Bank. On September 3, 1947 Lillian was united in marriage to Arthur Pinette, also of Bigfork. They had 5 children and resided with their family in Hibbing and Hoyt Lakes, then moving back to Bigfork where their children attended school. Lillian was a homemaker and worked as a waitress at the Bigfork “Diner” restaurant, and later as a librarian for the Bigfork City Library for several years. Family always came first, and she loved spending time with her husband, children and grandchildren, siblings, and many nieces and nephews. Her kindness was evident; always putting other’s needs before her own. Lillian found much joy in exercising her considerable green thumb talents working in her beautiful flower gardens. She enjoyed reading a good love story, embroidery and crocheting, and spending time outdoors. Lil was an avid Minnesota Vikings fan and rarely missed cheering for them on Sunday afternoons. She was known as the family ‘card shark’ and enjoyed challenging family and friends to a competitive game of cards any chance she could and passing on her skills to her grandchildren. She had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to joke and laugh. True to her Norwegian heritage that she was very proud of, she made the very best lefse which her family looked forward to every holiday season. Lillian spent the last two years of her life as a resident at Sugar Brook Villa Assisted Living in Grand Rapids, MN where she passed away on March 12, 2020 at the age of 94. Her family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the many staff members who were so loving and helpful to Lillian during her time there. She is preceded in death by her husband Arthur Pinette, daughter Marsha Pinette, daughter Kathy Pinette, brothers: Charles Nelson, Norman Nelson, Melvin Nelson, Ernest Nelson, George Nelson, Edwin Nelson, Kenneth Nelson, and Victor Nelson, sister: Ethel Evenson, and son-in-law Edward Mackey. She is survived by her sister Shirley Davis, son Terry (Judy) Pinette, daughters: Debbie Mackey, Linda (Andrew) George, 8 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Her loving personality and sassy fun-loving nature will be missed by all who knew her. Funeral Services will be announced at a later date.

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