Lillie Marie Gronaas

Lillie Marie Askew Gronaas, age 88, McVille, ND, passed away Sunday, April 21, 2013 at Nelson County Health System - Hospital in McVille after a brief illness.

Lillie was born in Kenefic, OK on Sept 26, 1924 to William Perry Askew and Anna Kate Askew. She was raised and graduated from high school in Chowchilla, CA. Lillie married Clemet Gronaas Aug 23, 1942 in Stockton, CA. Clemet was enlisted in the US Navy at that time. Lillie met Clemet and after a 5 day whirlwind courtship they were married and he was then deployed to serve on a ship during WWII. They moved to Tolna, ND in January 1950, and they farmed in rural Tolna until moving to Grand Forks, ND in October 1956. Lillie worked for many years for Whitey's in East Grand Forks and for JC Penney in Grand Forks. In 1966 they moved back to Tolna. Lillie attended Floral Design School in Chicago. When she returned, they established a greenhouse and florist business in Tolna. They later moved to McVille and operated Gronaas Greenhouse Floral and Gift until she retired.

Lillie loved to bake, and loved having friends, kids and grandkids stop in for coffee and something she had baked. She was a wonderful cook and baker, and was very generous with all of her baking. She liked to entertain and did so until moving to the Care Center. In May 2012 she moved from her apartment to the Nelson County Health System - Care Center, and lived there until her death. She was a long time member of the Tolna American Legion Auxiliary and the McVille Lutheran Church.

Lillie was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 57 years, Clemet; 6 sisters; and 2 brothers.

Lillie is survived by 2 daughters, Jan (Mike) Thompson, of McVille and Karen (John) Mason, Peoria, IL; son Clemet "Butch" (Rainell) Gronaas Jr., Pekin, ND; 9 grandchildren, Rick Reinhard, Sandi (Ryan) Johnson, Bobbi Sanders, Bill (Sarah) Sanders, Paula (Derrick) Marshall, Paul Skarsten, Alison (Michael) Mahlum, Kristen (Tim) Eichelberger, and Jeramy (Brooke) Gronaas; 15 great grandchildren; brother James (Bud) Askew, Yuba City, CA; sister June Leonard, Yuba City, CA; and several nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be Saturday, April 27, 2013 at 11 a.m. in the McVille Lutheran Church, McVille, ND. Visitation will be one hour prior to services in the church. Spring interment will be in the McVille Cemetery, McVille, ND.