Lillian Rose (Ekedal) THOMPSON

EKEDAL, THOMPSON, HELLICKSON, SIMMS, MCKINNEY, DALEY, HENDRYX

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 4/23/2009 at 09:18:29

Orange County Register, Santa Ana, CA
April 5, 2009

Lillian Rose Thompson, at age 84, passed away peacefully on March 19, 2009. She was surrounded with love and light in her final hours with her sons, Ronald and Roger; cousin, Gerald Hellickson, and best friend, Sharon Thompson by her side. Lillian was born in Hardy, Iowa, and was the daughter of Knutin and Sofie Ekedal, Norwegian immigrants. She was one of eight children. Her early life was spent on the family farm. After graduation from high school, she moved to Minnesota and worked as a nurse's aide at the Mayo Clinic. Later, she moved to Des Moines and worked for the John Deere Tractor Company, where she met her husband, Ralph. In 1958, Lillian and Ralph moved to California to be closer to Lillian's family. There, she and Ralph raised their four children and enjoyed the togetherness of family and friends. Lillian and Ralph were married for 56 years, until Ralph's death in 2003. Lillian was an excellent secretary with impeccable skills. She worked for Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company until her retirement in 1990. After retirement, she worked part time for the Vanguard Investment Firm. Lillian had a strong work ethic and enjoyed her part time job. Family, friends, church and music were Lillian's favorite things in life. She was a faithful member of her church. Lillian had a beautiful soprano voice and for many years she sang in a special women's trio at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church. She also sang in the church choir and was actively involved in several fellowship groups. She particularly enjoyed participating in the church's annual Living Pictures presentation prior to Easter and the Christmas program. Lillian developed many long and lasting friendships at church. Lillian was an angel on earth. She was cherished by her family and loved by her friends. She had a delightful sense of humor and always looked for the brighter side of life.

She is survived by her children, Philip (Toni), Roger (Susan), Lana Daley (Rick), and Ronald. She is also survived by grandchildren, Andrew (Tracey), Darcy Simms (Brian), Danny, Clifford McKinney (Melissa), Ryan Daley, Kimberly Daley Hendryx (Matthew), Alyse and Marissa Thompson; and great-grandchildren, Nick and Garrett Thompson, Isaac, Micah and Bailey Simms, and Christian and Yasmine McKinney. She is also survived by her brothers, Marvin (Diana) and Maynard (Ellen) Ekedal; cousins, Floyd, Glenn, Gerald and Charles Hellickson; as well as several nephews and nieces. Friends and family are invited to celebrate Lillian's life on Monday, April 13th at 11:00 a.m. at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 12301 Magnolia St., Garden Grove, CA. A luncheon will be provided after the service. Lillian will be interred with her husband Ralph at Riverside National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church Memorial Fund would be greatly appreciated.