Obituary: Lillian Gisi

Lillian Gisi

Rochert, Minn.

Lillian Marie (Lies) Gisi was born on June 30, 1931 in a maternity house in New Rockford, North Dakota. She attended country school for grades one through six and later graduated at the top of her class from St. James Academy, New Rockford in 1949. She enjoyed learning and had plans to attend nursing school until one fateful evening when she met her future husband, William Gisi, at a barn dance near her home. On December 27, 1950 Willie and Lillian became Mr. and Mrs. William Gisi and moved into a farmhouse on their own land near the Gisi homestead. Life was hard at first, but the couple persevered and added to their home as they welcomed children into it. In all, they had 6 children in 20 years at this location before deciding to migrate eastward to a new opportunity.

November of 1969 saw the growing family move to a farm near Rochert, Minnesota, where Lillian would live for the rest of her life. While the farm was more or less complete on the date of the family's move, they saw fit to make a number of improvements, including renovating the farmhouse, constructing several outbuildings, and installing a fruitful garden that Lillian tended to. As a farmwife, Lillian was responsible for raising six children, no small feat even in the easiest of times and conditions. Like her husband she proved resourceful in tending to matters, domestic and personal, often pitching in with farm work or taking on additional responsibilities to ensure that ends did meet. There were tough times, of course, but she proved a steady hand in raising her children and was always reliable as a helpmate to her husband.

As a mother and wife, Lillian will be remembered for her generous personality and steadfast devotion to her family. Her children especially remember her famous overnight buns that she would prepare for baking on Saturday nights. Her grandchildren will certainly remember the exquisite ornaments they would receive every year before Christmas-each was hand-crafted, hand-painted, and lovingly dedicated with their names and the date. In the little free time Lillian had, she enjoyed reading and crafting and was often included in a good game of pinochle, where she and her partner usually won. Even through all this, Lillian was devoutly religious and rarely missed a Sunday mass, always making time to minister to others in need.

Lillian is survived by five children, sixteen grandchildren, and seventeen great grandchildren, all of whom will miss her greatly. Graveside services will be held on May 6, 2:00 p.m. at Holy Rosary Catholic Cemetery in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota with reception following at the Holy Rosary Church.