Memorials › Lillian Marie Fencl Colstad
Lillian Marie Fencl Colstad
2 Oct 1920 – 29 May 2005
| Birth | 2 Oct 1920 |
| Death | 29 May 2005 |
| Cemetery | Fairview Cemetery Hardin , Big Horn County , Montana , USA |
| Added by | Lillian Phelps on 26 Sep 2012 |
| FaG | https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/97840363 |
Bio
HARDIN - Lillian M. Colstad, 84, of Hardin, passed away in her home, May 29, 2005. She was born Oct. 2, 1920, in Ross, N.D., to John and Bibiana Belik Fencl. She had two brothers and one sister. Lillian graduated as valedictorian of her high school in 1938 and was a star basketball player on the girls' team. Lillian married Charles Leo Colstad on Sept. 4, 1941, in Hardin. They had been married 63 years. Lillian came to Hardin in 1938 to be with her sister, Alice and brother-in-law, Floyd Burlingame. She met Leo there and admired his fancy Nash "Lafayette" convertible and dancing ability. After they were married, they moved to Boise, Idaho, where Leo was stationed at Gowen Air Field. When Leo went overseas, she moved to Los Angeles, where she worked as a line foreman (a real Rosie the Riveter) at Douglas Aircraft. Following WWII, the couple returned to the family farm near Hardin, where she became a leader in the Home Demonstration Club. In 1953, they bought a Culligan Water Conditioning franchise, which eventually served six counties in Montana and Northern Wyoming. In the early years, while Leo installed and serviced water softeners, Lillian ran the office and kept the books out of their home. She was an avid volunteer in the community by serving as district stewardship chairman for the First American Lutheran Church, a counselor for Girl's State and Northwest Regional Chairman for the March of Dimes. She volunteered her talents for the Miss Big Horn County pageant and the Miss Montana Pageant. She helped at the Hardin Senior Citizens Center and in later years, did tax preparation for seniors. She was also active in the Hospice organization. She was president of the American Legion Auxiliary, where she was especially proud of organizing the 75th Anniversary Celebration of the Custer Battle in 1951. Lillian was also a member of the Big Horn County Historical Society and loved to collect historical information about Hardin and the surrounding area. Lillian was very musical, playing the piano, organ and singing at weddings and funerals in Big Horn County for years. For years, she was a part of a Ladies Quartet and the pianist for the Rebekah Lodge. She was a very good seamstress and a stylish dresser. She organized and narrated many style shows in the area for Jodi's Fashions. Lillian also enjoyed helping with costumes and makeup for the Community Theatre Group. Lillian was very proud of her Czechoslovakian heritage and was know for her Kolaches. Her parents; brothers Otis and Raymond Fencl; sister, Alice Burlingame; and her son, Kenney Gary Colstad, preceded Lillian in death. Survivors include her husband, Leo; daughter Carla Colstad of Hardin; grandchildren, Cameron and Allison Forney of Hardin; as well as several nieces and nephews. Cremation has taken place. Memorial funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 1, in the First American Lutheran Church in Hardin. Private inurnment will be held in the Hardin Fairview Cemetery. Bullis Mortuary of Hardin has been entrusted with the arrangements. Memorial may be made to the First American Lutheran Church, Big Horn County Historical Society or the Big Horn Hospice. Published by Billings Gazette on May 31, 2005.
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