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Olaf M. Lilleberg

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Olaf Lilleberg Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Jan. 31, 2005.

Obituary

Olaf M. Lilleberg, 73, of Cando, ND died Thursday, January 27, 2005 at SCCI Hospital in Fargo, ND. Olaf Melvin Lilleberg, son of Rudolph and Karen (Olson) Lilleberg, was born on December 1st, 1931 at Fargo, ND. He was raised and attended school at Hillsboro, graduating from Hillsboro High School. Olaf served with the US Army from January of 1951 until December of 1952 during the Korean War. Following his discharge, he returned to North Dakota where he graduated from Mayville Teachers College. Olaf began his teaching career at Clifford-Galesburg, ND and later at Elgin, ND and Karlsruhe, ND. He moved to Cando in 1965 where he taught until retiring in 1987. He also was assistant Football Coach and the Jr. High Basketball Coach while teaching at Cando. Olaf married Sharon Worms on April 24, 1970 at Cando. He was a member of the United Methodist Church and the Cando American Legion. Olaf is survived by his wife, Sharon, of Cando; his son, Stan (Aleida) Lilleberg of Omaha, NE; his daughter, Darla Lilleberg of Overland Park, Kansas and 4 grandsons; Andrew, Nicholas, Christian and Noah. He was preceded in death by his father and half-sister, Gunda. Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, February 1st at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church of Cando with interment in the Highland Cemetery of rural Hillsboro, ND. Rev. Tim Vorlage will officiate with Jack Freund as organist and Wayne Freund as vocalist. Casket bearers are Scott McDaniel, Frank Kruger, Galen Jeffers, Wilbur Boldt, Donald Wold, and Scott Hong. Visitation will be Mon., Jan. 31st from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Dunnigan-Dix Funeral Home of Cando.

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Recent Activity

June 6, 2017

Stan Lilleberg posted to the memorial.

January 31, 2005

Bob Stuart posted to the memorial.

January 31, 2005

paul steen,jr posted to the memorial.

5 Entries

Stan Lilleberg

June 6, 2017

He was a great dad and an even greater grandpa, and I still miss him as much as ever. He taught me how to overcome adversity, even in the face of doubt. He showed me how to stay strong when one feels weak. He taught a scarawny little boy with no meat on his bones how to be tough when it mattered. He overcame his shortcoming, and never turned back - if only he was given a little more time, just to pass his love to his grandsons, the fourth of which was only 6 weeks old when dad passed away.

Some may not know it - but i had written an eulogy for dad and tried to muster up the courage to give it at his memorial service that day. But as the service progressed, I had already succumbed to the tears and wouldn't have given the right tribute to dad.

He taught me how to love a football team and the game of football in spite of any languish or frustration.

And yes, I learned how to catch a football the right away from Olaf, all while catching those bullets he threw in my direction when I was in 4-6th grade on the practice field while the amazing high school teams he helped coach were doing there thing. Then the likes of every Cando football player that played quarterback, and more, started throwing me passes. Now, even at the ripe age of 53, I can still do it well, and have passed it along to my son as well. Olaf did the same for me - for catching punts - he had a booming punter's foot and some Saturday mornings we'd go to the field where he would kick punt after punt until I was able to catch everything. Did you know that I never fumbled in my entire high school football career? But I do remember dropping one obvious touchdown pass against Cooperstown. It didn't matter, we won by 3+ touchdowns anyway.

He always taught me how to throw a knuckleball, and several other off-speed pitches - why? I noticed early that I didn't have the strongest throwing arm but I threw strikes, and he knew I would need to keep the hitters off-balance. And now, I've been teaching the same types of pitches to my youngest son that loves to play baseball.

He, along with mom (Sharon), never missed one of my games, my track meets, my plays, my speeches, my music performances, or anything else that I did. That's not easy - any way to put it. I also can't remember a Minnesota Vikings game that dad and I ever missed on TV. Good or bad...

He loved watching Mash, never missed the news and weather, loved Johnny Carson and 60 minutes. The Price is Right was his game show, but he also loved Match Game. He loved to take my mom out to the Durum House, and also loved to dance with her too. He loved playing pool with me in the basement, and bowling with his buddies. He loved his friends, and the teachers he worked with - he loved our dog, Tramp, and would search the town over when the dog would run off. He loved the students, and gave them all he could. If things weren't right, he would help them. He loved taking care of the golf course, and driving the bus.

Did he get a tough shake once or twice in his life, damn straight he did. But, as he would say life is never fair, the only things that are fair, are the weather and his bowling scores - forget golf.

The Knight of Sarcasm and Wit, passed his sword unto me. And when I see him again, I will ask him for 2 things. 1) Do you want to have a catch, dad?, and 2) Where did we leave off? I think I missed the punch-line.

Love you Dad

Bob Stuart

January 31, 2005

My condolences to Olaf's family.

Olaf was a good friend thru my high school years and he was my first roommate at Mayville College. I hadn't seen Olaf for several years but we had several good visits after

our years at college.

I heard that he had health problems these past years. So it is always hard to say good bye but we can be thankful that he is at peace.

paul steen,jr

January 31, 2005

I have not met Olaf's family but my sympathy goes to each of them. I grew up with Olaf in Hillsboro and knew his parents, Rudy and Karen. He was our Co. L Supply Sargent when our unit was activated during the Korean War. He did an excellent job in that capacity and always had a new joke or story to share. I last saw him in 1960 when he stopped at our apartment in Harvey, ND on his way to Hillsboro one weekend and, yes, he did have a couple of new jokes!! We moved to California shortly after and, sadly, lost contact with him. Our prayers are with his family.

Andy Harstad

January 31, 2005

My sympathies and payers are with the family of Olaf. We had some wonderful times together during our school years at Hillsboro.

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Sonya Miller

January 31, 2005

My thoughts and prayers are with your family at this time. I will always remember Mr. Lilleberg as a caring, fair teacher. He was truly interested in helping all students, and he wanted them to do their best. On a humorous note, I will never forget the day that Olie's teeth went flying across the classroom floor when he was reprimanding one of the naughty boys in our class. We definitely had some challenging students, but everyone respected Mr. Lilleberg.

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