Lillian Bontrager, 90, Owatonna
Lillian (Lil) Bontrager, age 90, of Owatonna, went to be with her Lord on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, at the Owatonna Hospital with her loving husband, Jake, by her side.
She was born in New York City on Jan. 24, 1934, to Eugene and Maria (Kupczak) Banach. She grew up in the city and on Long Island and graduated from Babylon High School in 1952.
She was united in marriage to Jacob Bontrager on June 24, 1961, at Bayshore Assembly of God Church. Together they had five children: Kathleen, Jeffrey, Charlene, Darlene, and Brian.
Lillian worked as a secretary, restaurant hostess and office manager for various employers. After retiring, Lil and Jake moved to a home in Mesa, Ariz.
Together with her husband, Jake, they had many adventures and resided in North Dakota, Alaska, Arizona and finally in Minnesota, near family.
Lil loved many kinds of crafts including knitting, crocheting, embroidery, macrame, ceramics, sewing, artwork, card making and China painting. She also enjoyed hosting and party planning. Mom could make any place feel like home. She thoroughly enjoyed her recent 90th birthday party on Feb. 3, 2024.
Her family brought her great joy and she prayed for each one by name every day. She adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Lillian is survived by Jacob, her husband of 62 years; four children: Kathleen (Gerald) Harrison of Bartlett, Tenn., Jeffrey (Kathi) Bontrager of Grand Forks, N.D., Charlene (Jon) Esch of Owatonna, Brian Bontrager of Wasilla, Ark.; 15 grandchildren: Nikkia, Gabriella, Alison, Bryce, Jordan, Kyle, Jon Michael, Cindy, Alicia, Andrew, Krista, Jacob, Brandon, Colton and Shiann; six great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her daughter Darlene, four brothers: Johnny Banach, Danny Banach, Dimytro Banach and William Banach and two sisters: Theresa Holub and Jennie Zurawel.
Celebration of Life will be held at Christian Family Church, 2300 Heritage Place NW, Owatonna, on Saturday, Feb. 24 at 1:30 pm. A light lunch will be served following. Visitation will be held at the church starting at 12:00 noon. Pastor Cherrie’ Peterson will be officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the family.