Obituary: Lillian F. Davis

Lillian F. Davis, 91, of Carlton passed away Friday, April 14, 2023 at her home with family by her side. She was born March 27, 1932, in Crosby, Minnesota, the daughter of Melvin and Gladys (Wolford) Bayliss. Lillian graduated from Aitkin High School. She was a longtime member of Bethesda Lutheran Church in Carlton, having joined in 1958. Lillian was the first woman to chair the Bethesda Church Council and remained active there through the years with women's groups, quilters, teaching, and as church secretary and more. When the children grew up, she worked as secretary for the City Clerk in Carlton for nearly 18 years.

Lillian loved Gordy and the family, especially the times spent together traveling, camping or just being together at home. They have great memories of the many trips by air, car, bus and camper, especially the four summers they were volunteers at the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers Sandy Lake campsite, north of McGregor.

Lillian and Gordy were married Nov. 16, 1953, and they looked forward to celebrating 70 years of marriage this fall. Lil was a quilter and for many years enjoyed monthly meetings with her friends from the Humble Quilters Guild of Carlton/Cloquet. Lillian made many quilts for her family, siblings, friends, charities and church.

Lillian was preceded in death by her parents; father-in-law and mother-in law, Rolland and Fern Davis; grandson Austin Davis; brothers Roger (Lois), Jerome and Ken Bayliss; brothers-in-law, Les Wycoff and Tom Nephew; nieces Nancy, Nadine and Sherry; nephews Joey, Mike and Mark; and several aunts and uncles.

She is survived by her husband, Gordon Davis; children, Rod (Deb) Davis, Cindy (Dave) Berthiaume, Garry (Julie) Davis, Jeanine (Lance) Johnson, and Kristi (Pat) O'Brien; grandchildren Cassi (Leslie Peterson) Davis, Brandon and Broc Johnson, Bob Berthiaume, Rachael (Ryan) Olesiak, Mike Davis, Chad (Christina) Duncan, Ashley (Tony) Theisen, Garrett (Emily) Davis, Trent (Sabrina) and Justine Johnson, and Jordyn O'Brien; great-grandchildren, Pierce, Azaelia, Sienna, Amelia, Ethan, Madi, McKenzie, Kennedy, Ryden, Riley, Max, Asher, Kenley, Jett, Ivy, Brynna, Emmett, Gia, and two great-grandchildren joining the fold this fall; siblings Audrey Wycoff, Shirley (Duane) Mead, Jeanine (Jerry Holmvig) Nephew, and Beverly (Jim) Hofmann; sisters-in-law, Marilyn and Lois Bayliss; and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral service was held April 17 at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Carlton. A private family burial will be held at a later date at Hillside Cemetery in Carlton. Arrangements entrusted to Nelson Funeral Care of Cloquet.