Funeral Service: Saturday, May 9, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at the VFW Hall in Jordan.
Interment: Pioneer Cemetery
Lillian Eldora Nelson OConnor, age 90, of Jordan, passed away Tuesday, May 5th, 2009 at the Garfield County Nursing home in Jordan, Montana.
Lillian was born March 28, 1919 in Watkins, Montana to Emil and Agnes Nelson. She grew up on the family homestead on Skull Creek and attended grade school in the Skull Creek community. She attended high school at Highwood and later graduated from Brockway. After completing high school she moved to Garfield County and received training from the government and took employment at the FHA office in Jordan.
She met Clell Morris OConnor while living in Jordan and they were married on October 12, 1940 in Miles City. After getting married Lillian trailed bands of sheep with Clell for Red John. While herding sheep in the Brusett area for Joe Coopman, their oldest child, Patricia, was born. Deciding that raising children in a sheep wagon was not ideal, they moved to Jordan and Clell worked with his father Clyde on the family ranch. After his fathers death they took over operation of the ranch and continued to run it until Clells death in 1969. Lillian then turned the ranch operations over to her children and began her bookkeeping career again, working as clerk of the school and medical records technician for the Garfield County Hospital.
Lillian participated in community organizations with memberships in both Civic Club and Royal Neighbors. She really enjoyed traveling and taking tours and cruises with her close friends, bringing back many treasures to add to her collections. She was an avid sports fan and truly proud of her children and grandchildrens athletic achievements. She continued to support the Mustangs up until health difficulties made it impossible for her to attend games. One of Lillians strongest passions was playing cards with her group of friends. Lillian would play cards 24 hours a day if someone was willing to play with her.
Lillian is survived by brothers Emil (Sally) Nelson of Silver Springs, Maryland, Bob (Leslie) Nelson of Beaverton, Oregon, sister-in-law Margaret Viall Nelson of Billings, sons David (Nancy) OConnor of Great Falls, Charles (Jennifer) OConnor of Jordan, daughter in law Laurel (Charlie) OConnor Noland of Warden, son in law Norman (Jane) Ostby of Flat Willow, grandchildren Brian(Kathy) OConnor of South Dakota, Tony OConnor of Billings, Roberta OConnor of Billings, step grandchildren Ann Thiel of Great Falls, Lisa Barron of Billings, Alec Dumay of Columbia Falls, great grandchildren, Derek, Darius & Brighton and stepgreat grandchildren, Cary, Carly, Derick, Cameron, Brianna, Stacia & Austin.
Lillian was preceded in death by her parents Emil and Agnes Nelson, brothers Walt and Arthur, sisters in law, Irene, Nina & Wilma, husband Clell, daughter Patricia, son Robert, step grandson Tony and step great grandson Clell.
Visitation will be held on Friday, May 8, 2009 from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Jordan. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at the VFW Hall in Jordan. Interment will follow in the family lot of the Pioneer Cemetery in Jordan. Condolences may be made to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.If desired, memorials may be made to the Garfield County Nursing home or Garfield County Ambulance Service.
Service Schedule
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