Dorothea M. Lillie
March 24, 1922 — August 7, 2019
Dorothea M. Lillie, 97, of Alburnett, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, August 7, 2019, at her son’s home in Illinois. The family will greet friends from 4 – 7 p.m. on Friday, August 16, 2019, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Marion, Iowa. Funeral Services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, August 17, 2019, at the funeral home conducted by Pastor Daniel Peterson. Burial will take place at Lafayette Cemetery, rural Alburnett.
Dorothea, while physically weak, remained mentally alert until her death. She was born on March 24, 1922, to Maurice and Cynthia (Lampman) Serveson, the youngest of four children. She loved to skate everywhere, including to and from school. Her father used to complain how expensive it was to buy wheels for her skates all the time. Dorothea attended school at Center Point, Iowa, and graduated in 1940, and immediately began working for Schneider Nursery. She met her husband, Paull Lillie, while playing high school basketball. They were married at the home farm on June 8, 1944, while Paull was home on leave from military service for his sister’s funeral. Shortly after their marriage, Paull returned to active duty, serving in the Pacific Theatre. Dorothea was a child of the depression and worked and saved accordingly. While Paull served, Dorothea saved enough money to be able to buy a tractor, plow, and disk to begin farming southeast of Alburnett for 50 years.
To this union, two sons were born, Arthur L. on January 12, 1948, and Barth A. on April 17, 1949. When the boys were older, Dorothea began working for Senator Jepsen's office, Soil Conservation Service, and Vigortone.
Although Dorothea was a city girl, she was a farm woman through and through. She had a huge garden, canned everything she grew, and prepared big meals for the various harvesting events.
Dorothea and Paull retired and moved to Marion in 1998. They stayed active in the Alburnett Historical Society, of which they were founding members. Dorothea remained active in the Alburnett Christian Church, and pursued her artistic interests and talents. She was a meticulous painter and a skilled quilter. Many friends have one of her ceramic creations. In recent years, while continuing to reside in her home, Dorothea accompanied her son, Arthur, to Mesa, Arizona, for the winter months. High on her list of favorite activities was bingo every Tuesday night and coffee every Monday morning with Arizona neighbors. Dorothea also maintained an active interest in the farm and was adamantly determined to keep it in the family.
Dorothea is survived by her son, Arthur; two grandchildren, Tonya and her husband Mark Cisek, and Dan and his wife Suray Lillie; and three great grandchildren, twins Alex and James Cisek, and Bella Lillie.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Paull, on February 14, 2003; son, Barth, on September 27, 2010; her parents; and her three sisters.
Memorials may be given in Dorothea’s memory to the Alburnett Christian Church or the Alburnett Historical Society.
Hopefully Dorothea is winning at bingo today.
Dorothea, while physically weak, remained mentally alert until her death. She was born on March 24, 1922, to Maurice and Cynthia (Lampman) Serveson, the youngest of four children. She loved to skate everywhere, including to and from school. Her father used to complain how expensive it was to buy wheels for her skates all the time. Dorothea attended school at Center Point, Iowa, and graduated in 1940, and immediately began working for Schneider Nursery. She met her husband, Paull Lillie, while playing high school basketball. They were married at the home farm on June 8, 1944, while Paull was home on leave from military service for his sister’s funeral. Shortly after their marriage, Paull returned to active duty, serving in the Pacific Theatre. Dorothea was a child of the depression and worked and saved accordingly. While Paull served, Dorothea saved enough money to be able to buy a tractor, plow, and disk to begin farming southeast of Alburnett for 50 years.
To this union, two sons were born, Arthur L. on January 12, 1948, and Barth A. on April 17, 1949. When the boys were older, Dorothea began working for Senator Jepsen's office, Soil Conservation Service, and Vigortone.
Although Dorothea was a city girl, she was a farm woman through and through. She had a huge garden, canned everything she grew, and prepared big meals for the various harvesting events.
Dorothea and Paull retired and moved to Marion in 1998. They stayed active in the Alburnett Historical Society, of which they were founding members. Dorothea remained active in the Alburnett Christian Church, and pursued her artistic interests and talents. She was a meticulous painter and a skilled quilter. Many friends have one of her ceramic creations. In recent years, while continuing to reside in her home, Dorothea accompanied her son, Arthur, to Mesa, Arizona, for the winter months. High on her list of favorite activities was bingo every Tuesday night and coffee every Monday morning with Arizona neighbors. Dorothea also maintained an active interest in the farm and was adamantly determined to keep it in the family.
Dorothea is survived by her son, Arthur; two grandchildren, Tonya and her husband Mark Cisek, and Dan and his wife Suray Lillie; and three great grandchildren, twins Alex and James Cisek, and Bella Lillie.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Paull, on February 14, 2003; son, Barth, on September 27, 2010; her parents; and her three sisters.
Memorials may be given in Dorothea’s memory to the Alburnett Christian Church or the Alburnett Historical Society.
Hopefully Dorothea is winning at bingo today.
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