Lillian Margret Tokle

1927 - 2022

Lillian Margret (Nelson) Tokle, 95

December 10, 1927 - December 19, 2022

Lillian Margaret "Aunt Lil" Tokle passed on December 19, 2022, at the age of 95. Born as a first-generation Swede on December 10, 1927, to John B. and Eva (Nadin) Nelson. Lillian was educated in Butte, graduating from Butte High, class of 1945.

Lillian married Robert (Bob) Tokle on December 10, 1949; they were married for 42 years until Bob's passing on February 17, 1991.

Aunt Lil and Uncle Bob enjoyed recreational camping and boating at Harrison Lake for many years until they purchased property at Canyon Ferry in 1976, where she managed a very large vegetable garden for nearly 20 years.

Aunt Lil worked for Metropolitan Life for 35 years until they closed their offices in Butte, she then chose to remain retired so her and Uncle Bob could enjoy spending nearly six months at their place at Canyon Ferry and six months at their Butte home. One of her most cherished times while living at her place at Canyon Ferry was going to garage sales with her dear friends, Mini Ralph, Bev Wolf, Hellen Hall, and sister-in-law, Margie Roeber, and times taking her nieces, nephews, and grandnieces and nephews garage-saling, where she would purchase all kinds of toys for, not only her nieces and nephews, but any child who came to visit. Her eyes would light up just seeing the excitement on their faces and the laughs from all the gag gifts. She had such a kind and loving heart. She also enjoyed all her holiday dinners with Bill and Dee Fisher and family.

Aunt Lil was a piano player and singer. She also was a member in the Barbershop group well known as the Note-A-Belles for nearly 40 years. The Note-A-Belles were often invited to entertain at various venues for Christmas, Easter, and numerous holiday festivities.

Aunt Lil volunteered to play the piano for children at the Head Start program once a week during the school year and for their Christmas programs for many years. It was always a treat to have Aunt Lil play her organ at home for her nieces and nephews.

Aunt Lil enjoyed many pet companions starting with Patches, Trudy, Kim, Toby, Barkly, Sidney, and Lizzy.

Aunt Lil was a pink lady volunteer at Saint James Hospital for 25 years of which she served as many years as their President of the Auxiliary Members.

Lillian was known to almost everyone as Aunt Lil - friends, neighbors, doctors, nurses, mail persons, Veteran Home care staff, all addressed her as Aunt Lil. She will be greatly missed.

Aunt Lil was preceded in death by her parents: John B. and Eva (Nadin) Nelson; sister, Margret; brother, Herbert (Herb); husband, Robert (Bob); sister-in-law, Loraine Nelson Boyd; niece, Gail Boyd and friend, Ray Clark.

During her final days, Aunt Lil lived in the Southwest Montana Veterans' Home where she received loving care from the nursing staff.

She is survived by friends, Diane Sholey and Norm White, numerous nieces, and nephews among whom were her best friends, as were her caregivers, John and Karen Starcevich, Cathy and Ernie Frey, Bill and Dee Fisher, and Josh and Ashley Wold.

Friends may call on January 26, 2023, after 11:30 am in the Duggan Dolan Mortuary Chapel. Funeral Services will be conducted at 12:00 PM (noon).

Interment will follow in Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery.