Eileen Lillis

Eileen Faye Lillis, 66, resident of Detroit Lakes, MN, died peacefully Saturday, September 28, 2013 in Lake City, MN surrounded by her loving family and under care of Mayo Hospice. A Celebration of Eileen's Life will be held Thursday, October 3 at 11AM in David Donehower Funeral Home. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services. Interment will be held in Oakwood Cemetery, Lisbon, ND. Eileen Faye Leach was born October 8, 1946 to Perry and Gertrude (Jorgenson) Leach. She was raised and educated in Lisbon, ND graduating from Lisbon High School in 1964. Following high school, she attended college at NDSCS in Wahpeton, ND. As a young lady, Eileen waitressed at the Lisbon Café and worked as a lifeguard at the Lisbon Pool. Eileen was united in marriage to Lloyd Grasto in 1965. She was blessed with two sons, Jeff and Jay. Eileen and Lloyd divorced in 1984. On February 9, 1985, Eileen was united in marriage to Jack Lillis. In her own words: "I now know what it's like to be treated like a queen!" Eileen and Jack celebrated 28 years of marriage and most importantly a friendship and undying love for one another. Through her working career Eileen held several positions. She was a bank teller for Dakota National Bank, a traffic manager for KFGO Radio, and a sales manager for Home Interior and Gifts. Eileen was a gifted public speaker, and owned Positive Perception, a company providing businesses with motivational training. She also worked in public relations and marketing for St. Mary's Hospital and Hospice of the Red River Valley. Most recently, Eileen was employed with the David-Donehower and Furey Funeral Homes as a pre-arrangement specialist. Eileen embraced her role in helping and serving people, and David-Donehower and Furey Funeral Homes were blessed to have her in their employ from 2001 until 2012 when she retired due to her declining health. For 19 years, Eileen and Jack managed apartments in Detroit lakes for Madsen Properties out of Battle Lake, MN.

Being busy was the norm for Eileen but it never came before family. Eileen cherished the time spent with her husband Jack, her children and grandchildren, always looking forward to the next visit. She adored every single one of her grandchildren and loved chatting on the phone to hear about their activities or simply how there day was going. Her upbeat outlook towards life and unwavering spirit throughout her treatments are gifts and memories she has left for family and friends. Eileen will be remembered and deeply missed by her husband Jack of Detroit Lakes, her children: Jeffrey (Ranae) Grasto of Big Lake, MN, Jay (Melissa) Grasto of Otsego, MN, step-children: Diane Lillis (Andy Heinle) of Bismark, ND, Steve (Vicki) Lillis of Phoenix, AZ, Jerry (Sherry) Lillis of Bismarck, ND, Bob (Danita) Lillis of Mandan, ND and Richard (Arlene) Lillis of St. Cloud, MN and 15 grandchildren: Jordyne, J.J., Coleton, Trevor, Lane and Arianna Grasto along with Matthew, Christin, Mark, Jacob, Brooke, Paige, Chandra, Garrett and Nate Lillis and great-granddaughter: Paeyton (daughter of Christin), along with two sisters: Donna (Laurel) Gamache of Lisbon, ND, Marion (Jesse) Paulson, Fargo, ND, brother and sister-in-laws: Joyce Leach of West Fargo, ND, Edward (Joanne) Lillis of Detroit Lakes, Lois (Ralph) Weis of Richville, Jeanette Papenfuss and Geraldine Lillis both of Perham. She is preceded in death by her parents, brother: Gary Leach, two brother-in-laws: Paul Lillis and Richard Ned Lillis "Junior".

Funeral Home: David Donehower Funeral Home 609 Hwy 10 East Detroit Lakes, MN US 56501

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Previous Events

Visitation
Thursday, October 3, 2013
Service
Thursday, October 3, 2013

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