Lillian was born to Theodore Swenson and Minnie (Grimestad) Swenson at the farm homestead near Charlson, ND on December 18, 1921. Being premature she was placed in a box of cotton and place on the warmer of the stove.

Being born of a Norwegian speaking family, at the age of five she was taught English in order for her to attend first grade at the Olson School in Charlson. She attended one high school in Sanish, ND and graduated from Ray High School in Ray, ND in 1941. She took off a part of a year of school to help care for her grandmother Kari Swenson after her mother passed in 1936. She worked as a telephone operator in Sanish while attending her first year of high school. She stayed with her aunt in Minneapolis while attending college and working. She then went to work in Bismarck at a clothing store.

Lillian was united in marriage to Arnel Jellesed on November 18, 1950, in Bismarck, ND at the Trinity Lutheran Church. They made their home just two mile north of where she was born. To this union, five children were born: Arne, Jo Ann, Leif, Dee Ann and Lee Ann.

Lillian was baptized and confirmed and a life member of the Keene First Lutheran church. She was a Sunday school teacher and a 4-H leader. She enjoyed her time as a member of the Homemakers Club, Ladies Aide and general aide.

Lillian was a great cook. She would make meals for the harvest workers and the hired men, making sure all were fed large, hot meals. Her buns, fattigmand, and doughnuts were famous in the neighborhood. She loved making Norwegian treats; lefse, lutefisk, rommegraut, and krub. Krumkake and rosettes were always around for holidays. She loved to dance, and taught all her children. Even though Arnel was not a dancer, he did dance with her on their wedding night and on their 40th wedding anniversary. She would tell stories about all the dances she went to with her father, who was a cop for the Charlson Hall dances and other places.

Lillian loved old time music, playing bingo and telling stories about the past. Her favorite saying was, “Nobody would believe me, but…”. At the age of 91, she made a quilt for each of her children and a throw blanket for each of her grandchildren. She moved from her country home in Charlson to the Horizon Assisted Living in 2015. She enjoyed having so many of her old neighbors living there also. In September 2017 she moved to the Good Shephard Home.

Her life was surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Lillian leaves behind, her children, Arne (Audrey) Jellesed, Jo Ann (Donald) Moberg, Leif (Nancy) Jellesed, Dee Ann Jellesed & James Stenseth, and Lee Ann (Dean) Karsky. Her grandchildren: Jamie (Meghan) & Jacob Jellesed, Chad (Jamie) Moberg, Amanda (Troy) Richardson, Courtney (Luke) Taylor & Kyle Jellesed, James David Stenseth, Rachel (Dustin) Howie, Ryan (Cassey) Karsky, Derrick Karsky & Jaime Martin, Shaun (Mandy) Rink. Great Grandchildren: Aksel, Demi & Odin Jellesed, Jamison Flynn, Alexia, Harper, Oakley & Braxten Moberg, Samantha Richardson, Jett, Piper & Ella Taylor, Jamison Nelson, Aubrey & Grace Karsky, Kaisen & Kelby Howie, Jacob, Brianna & Aria Rink. Her brother, Lynn Swenson & sister, Amy (Henry) Wisness, and many nephews, nieces and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her husband Arnel, and her parents, Theodore and Minnie. Her stepmother, Laura, and sisters Juliet Hellandsaas and Doris Berg. Her sisters in law, Pearl Swenson & Anna Knight, and her brothers in law, Orville Hellandsaas, Mike Knight & Kenneth Berg.