Margaret Lian, 78, of Thief River Falls passed away on Sunday, Febraury 8, 2009 at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND.

Funeral services will be held at 11 A.M. on Friday, February 13, 2009 at Zion Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, MN with Pastor Gary Johnson officiating.

Visitation will he held from 5-8 P.M. Thursday, February 12, 2009 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the service at the church.

Interment will be in St. Pauli Cemetery, rural Thief River Falls, MN.

Margaret Lian was born in Duluth, MN on January 17, 1931 and was raised by Clarence and Eloise Arneson. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Pauli Lutheran Church and attended and graduated from Lincoln High School in Thief River Falls. On November 28, 1949 Margaret was united in marriage to Omer E. Lian. Margaret owned and operated the Pennington Caf for several years and worked at Pamida (formerly Gibsons) for many years until her retirement in 1988.

Margaret enjoyed fishing with her husband Omer, spending time at the casino with her friends, crocheting, and emailing family and friends. She was a member of the VFW Auxiliary and Zion Lutheran Church.

Margaret is survived by six children: Ralph (Virginia) Lian of Badger, MN, Randall Lian of Goodland, MN, Richard (Elizabeth) Lian of Mays Landing, NJ, Ruth (Keith) Hed of Winthrop, MN, Ross (Annette) Lian of Thief River Falls, MN, Rebecca Richardson of Clinton, IL; 13 grandchildren: Chad Lian, Charity Nelson, Jennifer Butler, Matthew Hed, Angela Hed, Jason Hed, Jeremy Lian, Christopher Lian, Adam Lian, Derek Lian, NaTasha Landrus, Shawn Landrus and Cody Landrus; 8 great grandchildren; sister Florence (Steve) Gjerstad of Grand Blanc, MI; brother Harold (Joyce) Arneson of Thief River Falls, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Omer in 2001; brother Robert; and her parents.

ORGANIST: Ida Nordvall
SOLOIST: Diane Johnson
SELECTIONS: Rock of Ages The Old Rugged Cross
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: Amazing Grace How Great Thou Art
CASKETBEARERS: Jeremy Lian, Adam Lian, Christopher Lian, Jason Hed, Chad Lian, Jeremy Nelson
HONORARY CASKETBEARERS: All of Margarets Grandchildren and great-grandchildren