The Fergus Falls Daily Journal

Lily Rakstad, died Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013, at St. Cloud Hospital.

She was born on April 14, 1929, in Fergus Falls, the daughter of Charles and Lilian (Jacobson) Malmstrom. She graduated from Fergus Falls High School in 1947.

Lily worked at O’meara’s Department Store in Fergus Falls while attending high school and after graduation. She later worked at Gambles and after marriage worked making lefse. She never lost her love for sharing her lefse with family and friends every Christmas.

On Aug. 9, 1948, she married Harvey Irwin Rakstad. They started their family in Fergus Falls and then lived in the Twin Cities. In 1981, the couple moved back to the farm in Folden, where Harvey grew up.

She spent her last 10 years in Glenwood. They were the parents of two children, Allen and Don Rakstad.

She was a member of Folden Lutheran Church in Vining and enjoyed attending the Christian Women’s groups. She treasured the many dear friends she made there.

They blessed her so much with their many visits to her home in Glenwood.

When her children were young, she was a Cub Scout den mother for several years.

She enjoyed doing crafts and decorating for all of the holidays, making everything feel warm and festive. Lily was a wonderful cook and put so much love into fixing Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter dinners for the family, which we very much looked forward to.

She had a “green thumb” with all her flowers and house plants and enjoyed canning her garden produce and with a sharp mind, loved doing crossword puzzles.

She enjoyed reading women’s magazines, cook books and Harlequin romances. Lily collected Avon products and had a beautiful collection of bells. She loved her cats and dogs and they were very important to her, like family, and she talked about them all the time.

She also loved feeding and watching the birds outside her window. She endeared herself to those who met her and treasured their friendships and looked so forward to their visits, phone conversations and letters.

Lily will be truly missed.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Charles and Lilian; her husband, Harvey; a son, Allen; and a brother, Chuck Malmstrom.

Survivors include a son, Don (Sheree) of Glenwood; three grandsons, Andy and Joey (DaNae) Rakstad of Glenwood; and her granddaughter, Lindsay Thompson of Illinois; a brother, Bud (Laurel) Malmstrom and a sister-in-law, Jean Malmstrom, all of Battle Lake; and nieces, nephews, uncles, cousins, and many friends.

Visitation: One hour prior to the services at the church

Service: 11 a.m. Monday, at Folden Lutheran Church, Vining

Clergy: Rev. Rud Wasson Jr.

Burial: Folden Lutheran Cemetery

Funeral Home: Faith and Hope Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Fergus Falls.

Condolences may be sent online at www.faithhopfh.com