Nellie Jo "Dukie" Lillquist

Nellie Jo "Dukie" (Johnson) Lillquist, mom to 4, grandma to 11, lived a fulfilling life. She was born on October 6, 1944, in Bigfork, Minnesota to Alfred and Ada (Stevens) Johnson. Though Nellie’s health was failing for years, few people knew the extent to which she struggled. Her indomitable spirit kept her alive. No one was more determined to live than her. When anyone else would have broken, she stayed strong. Through her, we understand what resilience and perseverance truly look like. There was no quit in her. She was 76 years old, 7 months and 18 days when she passed away peacefully at her home on May 24, 2021. Mom was a beautiful woman who smiled often. We aren’t talking about physical beauty - though, no doubt she was blessed with that too - but we’re talking about a deeper beauty that revealed itself in the softness of her unforgettable green eyes and the iron will of her character. This kind of beauty is hard won: it is a beauty that was born of perseverance and sacrifice, along with a healthy dose of spunk and wit. Yes, she had a good life, but it wasn’t always easy. Being the third youngest child in a family of eleven siblings, she was expected to do her part in their large family. It made for an interesting childhood. She often talked about playing in the woods all day, the fact that her family was extremely poor, being incredibly shy, but mostly; she talked about being happy in spite of it all. She was very proud of her Native American and Norwegian heritage. Nellie Jo was a simple, yet sophisticated woman who gave Don - her beloved husband of 50 years - love, joy, and much laughter. Every night Mom and Dad cherished their time of devotions where they diligently covered their children and their families with prayer. They rarely fought, and only had five fights (Yes! Only five!) during their years together. Their marriage was a wonderful model for their children. She was at her happiest when she was with him. You very rarely would see one without the other. What you might not know is that Nellie Jo was a very creative and artsy type of woman - she was a self taught musician who loved to play guitar, sing, and write songs. Painting with oils was another one of her passions and she would absorb herself in her art when she got the urge. She had a great sense of wonder. Clothes and shoes were things that mom couldn’t get enough of, and there wasn’t a jacket that she wouldn’t want to buy! Everyone that knew her would agree that mom was “classy.” She had an air of poise and grace, but loved nothing better than walking in the woods. Dad never dared cut a branch off a tree if she was around! Mom’s greatest pleasure was any holiday that brought her family together where she could have our rapt attention as she did “grandma church” - where her family sang songs as she played the guitar and listened to her share life lessons and her love for Jesus. It was truly special. Mom preferred a quiet and private life with the exception of seeing her children and grandchildren on a frequent basis. She loved nothing more than talking with us about our day, our lives, our stories. She was the keeper of our loose ends, she kept us together. However, the most important relationship in Mom’s life was with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We hated that God allowed her to have this illness, but we’ve come to know that God’s will is not the path we walk, but how we walk the path we are on. She believed that God’s will wasn’t that she suffer through an illness, but that she walk with Him through it. Mom would want us to know that we should draw close to Jesus in the midst of our pain, and lean on Him to carry His message of grace, forgiveness, mercy and hope. How fortunate we were to have had you as ours. We love you. We will miss you. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Matthew 5:4 Nellie Jo’s legacy: her devoted husband of 50 years, Don; her children, Kevin (Jolene) Lillquist, Shannon (Jeff) Lausten, Kristine (Joe) Tellers, and Darin (Annette) Lillquist. Her eleven grandchildren in the order that she met them: Sam, Madi, Tom, George, Scarlett, Isaac, Cecelia, Lydia, Hank, Julianna and Miranda. Besides her immediate family, Nellie Jo is survived by her siblings: Manley (Babe) Johnson, Margaret Rinell, Helen Stark and Jim Johnson; as well as a host of nieces and nephews. Visitation will be from 5-8 PM on Tuesday, June 1, 2021 at Wevley Funeral Home in Sebeka, MN and continue one hour prior to the service. Funeral Services will be held 11:00 AM Wednesday, June 2, 2021at Wevley Funeral Home in Sebeka, MN. Interment will be at Sebeka West Cemetery.