Lillie Esther Holden

Lillie Esther Cecelia was born to Andrew and Jennie Shalander in Hamill, South Dakota on January 20, 1917. She was one of seven children, all of whom lived into their 90s. She attended elementary and high school in Hamill, where she was on the girls basketball team, acted in plays and graduated as co-valedictorian. She then studied at Black Hills Teachers College in Spearfish, S.D., where she also participated in dramatic productions. Lillie taught elementary school for five years in one-room schoolhouses in rural S.D. and two years in Colome and Winner, S.D.
In 1939 she married Lawrence Holden. They farmed until 1949 when they moved to Colome, S.D. and lived there until 1957 when they then moved to Hillsboro, Oregon with their five children. Lillie completed her bachelors in education at Pacific University and taught for 20 years in Hillsboro and Beaverton. Although she retired from teaching in public schools in 1979, Lillie was at heart always a teacher in her volunteer work, with her family and especially with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was always willing to listen and provide her wise counsel when asked.
In her retirement Lillie traveled to many countries and throughout the United States, learned line dancing and clogging and was an enthusiastic bunco player. She belonged to Trinity Lutheran Church in Hillsboro where she was an active member and volunteer, participating in many outreach and mission programs. She enjoyed attending Bible study and being involved with Lutheran Women Missionary League and making quilts for Lutheran World Relief. Lillie also volunteered with Good Shepherd Auxiliary and the Crosswalks Program, a ministry serving persons with developmental disabilities. She volunteered at the Senior Center until she was 93.
Her family loved her deeply and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren thought she was truly awesome. Lillie played cards and checkers with the children and in so doing taught them to play by the rules, and enjoy the game and each other. Even in dying, she taught us the importance of faith, family and love of others.
Lillie was preceded in death by her husband. She is survived by her brother, Vincent, two sister-in-laws, Selma Holden and Luella Holden; her five children, LeAnn (Howard) Schwab, LaVon Holden, Lila (George) Young, Larry Holden and Lyle Holden; nine grandchildren, Heidi (Jeff) Bishop, Andrew Schwab, Lisa (David) Crisi, Diana (Derrick Gillikan) Young, DeAnn (Kevin) Chism, Sasha (Sayer) Jones, Lydia Holden, Zachary (Laura) Holden and Tessa (Adam) Betz; 11 great-grandchildren, Ethan and Aaron Crisi, Alisha and Anthony Schwab, Jacob, Eden and Faith Bishop, Grace and Jacob Chism, Jackson Jones and Megan Gillikan; and many nieces, nephews and friends, all of whom have been touched by her life and continue to love her very much.
A celebration of Lillie's life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday June 9, 2012 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 2194 SE Minter Bridge Road, Hillsboro, Oregon. Gifts in memory of Lillie may be given to Trinity Lutheran Church, Good Shepherd Auxiliary(c/o Lois Paul 574 NE Fleming Avenue, Gresham OR 97030), Providence Hospice or K.I.N.D. (Kids in Need of Desks) for kids in Malawi through unicefusa.org. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Donelson, Fir Lawn Memorial Center in Hillsboro.