Lillas J.

Lillas J. (Andersen) Orr, age 77, of Faribault passed away Saturday, January 23, 2010 after a courageous struggle with ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease.             Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. at the Divine Mercy Catholic Church in Faribault. Interment will be at the Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis.             Visitation will be held at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home in Faribault on Tuesday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. and on Wednesday for one hour prior to the services at the church. A prayer service will be held on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. She was born November 19, 1932 in Faribault. Lillas grew up in Cannon City and attended a one-room school house. She graduated from Faribault High School in 1950 and also attended cosmetology school in Mankato to become a beautician. After graduation she worked in Faribault at Frieda Lord's Salon and later at the downtown St. Paul Dayton's Looking Glass.  Lillas married Larry Orr on February 13, 1954 at Immaculate Conception Church. Shortly after marrying they moved to St. Paul where they lived for several years. In 1966 they moved back to Faribault to raise their five girls and Larry went back to work at Parker Funeral Home. In 1971 Lillas began work at the Faribault State Hospital where she worked as a human services technician for 20 years until she retired. After Larry and Lillas retired they moved north to Glenwood, MN where they lived for six years. Upon returning to Faribault in 1997 They lived at Trail's Edge Apartments on Central Avenue until this past September when they moved to St. Lucas Care Center and Deaconess Towers. During their 55 years of marriage Lillas and Larry took many trips travelling to nearly all 50 states, Europe and Mexico. Lillas enjoyed ballroom dancing and listening to big band music. She also liked to cook and she passed on many of the family's favorite recipes in a family cookbook. Lillas was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary for many years. Through her battle with ALS she taught her children and grandchildren the meaning of strength and courage and to accept what life hands you with dignity. She is survived by her husband Larry Orr of Faribault; daughters, Denise (and Terry) Erickson of Winona, Alane (and Peter) Aube of Bemidji, Merry (and José) Mendoza of Faribault, Joli (and John) Weber of Lambertville, NJ, Miki (and Ken) Muths of Salina, KS; grandchildren, Carrie Erickson (and fiancé Dan Marfield), Kevin Erickson (and Jennifer Rostami) Liana (and Richard) Schaefer, Bryna (and Nick) VonHoldt, Bennet Aube, Natalia and Alejandro Mendoza, Deanna and Sam Weber; brothers, Earle Andersen of Stacy, Curtis (and Florence) Andersen of Eyota, Gary Andersen (and Judy Bednar) of Morristown, Phillip (and Nancy) Andersen of Las Vegas, NV, sister Elaine (and Arleigh) Anderson of Rochester. Lillas was preceded in death by her parents LeRoy and Josephine (Kline) Andersen, sister, Evelyn Larson and grandson, Timothy Erickson. Memorials may directed to ALS Association of Minnesota (alsmn.org) 333 North Washington Ave, Suite 105, Minneapolis, MN 55401 or the choice of the donor.