Lillian Anderson-Benner

Lillian Anderson Benner passed away in Stillwater, Minnesota on May, 24, 2017 at the age of 91. Lillian is survived by children, Paul (Janis) Anderson, Boone, Iowa, Duane (Jackie) Anderson, Soddo, Ethiopia, Deborah (Clark) Thomas, Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Carol (Gary) Mclean, Lake Elmo, Minnesota, her brother, Lawrence (Hazel) Bruhn, Jr., Deerwood, Minnesota, and 16 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Lillian is preceded in death by husband Reino Anderson, and husband Gordon Benner, her sister, Enid Mantz, and her daughter-in-law Rene Messerly Anderson. Lillian Anderson Benner was born on July 21,1925 to Lawrence and Hulda (Oberg) Bruhn in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. She graduated from Grand Rapids High School in 1943. Duluth State Teachers College conferred on her a diploma in 1945. A small town in northeastern Minnesota-Biwabik- offered her a teaching job. A local baker, Reino Anderson, noticed the new school teacher walking across the street, and voiced his plans to meet this woman. Lillian and Reino were married on July 9, 1949. In 1950 they welcomed their first child, Paul, followed by Duane, Deborah, and Carol. Her children remember her unswerving devotion to the Lord Jesus. In the words of Eugene Peterson, “there was a long obedience in the same direction.” In 2000, Lillian, a widow, married Gordon Benner and they enjoyed seven years of companionship at their lakeside home near Storybook Lodge Christian Camp. A funeral service is scheduled for 10:00am, June 22nd at the Virginia Bible Chapel, in Virginia, Minnesota. A reviewal will precede the funeral service at 9:00. A luncheon will follow. Internment at Lakeside Cemetery, Biwabik, Minnesota will be at 2:00pm. All are welcome to attend and remember Lillian’s life. In lieu of flowers please send donations to Storybook Lodge Christian Camp, at 5079 Vermilion Trail, Gilbert, Minnesota, 55741, or Soddo Christian Hospital, at St. Luke’s Foundation, P.O. Box 4465, Wheaton, Illinois 60189-4465. The family would like to thank the caregivers at Estates at Greeley in Stillwater, Minnesota for their kindnesses toward our mother, our grandmother, our aunt, and our friend.