Lillian C. Thunee

Lillian C. Thunee, age 96, of Alexandria, formerly of Parkers Prairie, died on Monday, October 20, 2025, at Alomere Health in Alexandria.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, October 25, 2025, at Lind Family Funeral Home in Alexandria with Rev. Michael Peterson officiating. Interment will take place at the Parkers Prairie Cemetery.

Visitation is one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Lillian Clarinda was born on July 24, 1929, to Clarence and Luella (Borslie) Hogenson in Fergus Falls. Following the early death of her mother, her uncle Peder and aunt Clara assisted in raising her to adulthood. She was baptized on October 6, 1929, at Little Norway Lutheran Church in rural Fertile and confirmed on December 5, 1943, at Union Lake Lutheran Church by Rev. Waldamar Anderson. Lillian attended Country School Willow Creek District #37 and Lake Region District #114. Following her schooling, she worked at the Ben Franklin Store and S&L Department Store, both in Crookston. Lillian was united in marriage to Millan Thunee on May 14, 1949, in Crookston by Rev. C.J. Felger. The couple made their home on a dairy farm in rural Winger, which they owned and operated until September 28, 1964, when they moved to Parkers Prairie. There, Millan accepted a position as manager of the Parkers Prairie Locker Plant. Later, they purchased the business and operated it together until their retirement in 1986. Lillian and Millan joined First Lutheran Church in Parkers Prairie in January 1965, under the leadership of Rev. Maynard Hansen. Lillian was an active member of the church, participating in Ladies Aid and Circles, teaching Sunday School and Wednesday Release Time classes for many years. She and Millan enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and Canada, and especially treasured their 1980 trip to Norway, where they visited the Thunee family home place near Bergen and several relatives in the Oslo area. Lillian delighted in simple joys—writing letters to friends, bird watching, and feeding her feathered visitors. She especially enjoyed conversations in “Norsk” whenever she found a fellow Norwegian speaker. Time with family was precious to her—holiday gatherings, good food, and her favorite, “Lutefisk og Lefse.” She also enjoyed having kaffe with friends, little shopping trips, and rides in the country.

She was preceded in death by her parents; stepmother, Mary; husband, Millan on May 18, 2002; daughter, Lynnette Kalina on March 21, 2017; brother, Morris Hogenson on December 9, 2010; and son-in-law, Gary Hayden on November 6, 2013.

Lillian is survived by her daughter, Paulette (Edurado Torrens) Hayden of Rosemount; sister, Mary Ann (David) Hess of Phoenix, Arizona; four grandchildren: Katerri (Shawn) Fish, Kierra (Eric) Olness, Courtny (Heather) Kalina, and Mitchell Hayden; and six great-grandchildren, Hudson (Allie) Kalina, Easton Kalina, Hayden Kalina, Cade Fish, Addison Olness, and Andren Olness.

Pallbearers are her grandchildren.