Lillian Esther Broden passed away on Thursday, February 18, 2021, at the age of 93 at Fair Meadow Nursing Home in Fertile, MN, where she has resided for the past fifteen years.
She was born to Henry and Agnes Hauglie Floan on January 3, 1928. She attended country school in Onstad Township through eighth grade after which she transferred to Northwest School of Agriculture in Crookston graduating in 1947. Lillian was a star student, in the National Honor Society, featured in the choir, and directed a winning choral group her senior year. She was also crowned Homecoming Queen. She and her brother Harris would entertain their parents with violin and piano duets. Lillian had fond memories of her dad sitting behind them and her mother ironing or doing handwork, both listening to their ‘in house’ concert. 
She was united in marriage to Chester Broden, son of Julius and Cecelia Broden, on June 22, 1947. They resided in Onstad Township where they started their lifelong career in farming. For a woman who never really wanted to have children, she was blessed with eight daughters and two sons who became her pride and joy, causing her to realize all children are truly a gift from the Lord. She loved her family and expressed that in many special ways.
While raising her children, Lillian enjoyed keeping her home, gardening, cooking and baking mountains of food, and hosting birthday parties that always included making a favorite birthday cake. She was active in her Maple Bay Free Lutheran Church circle, participated in bible studies, was Sunday school superintendent, and enjoyed visiting her special friends. Lillian could play the piano by ear and she and Chester sang many duets over the years. Somehow she could find time to play the piano for pure enjoyment and anyone in the house at the time enjoyed her creativity on the piano as well as her singing.
Lillian is survived by her daughters, Connie (Carl) Moland, Fertile, MN, Esther (Daniel) Olson, Dickinson, ND, Judith Demarais, Colorado Springs, CO, Jennifer (John) Hanson, Bowman, ND, Trisha (Bruce) Erdmann, Crookston, MN, Kathryn Allery, Grand Forks, ND, Clareese Hildenbrand, Colorado Springs, CO, and Deanna (Scott) Nyegaard, Cass Lake, MN; and son, Jonathan, Apple Valley, MN. She is also survived by twenty-one grandchildren, thirty great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
Lillian was preceded in death by her husband, Chester; her parents; two brothers and their wives, Harris and Irene Floan and Wesley and Betty Floan; one sister and brother-in-law, Stella and Francis Wingert; and one son, Julian Broden at the age of five. She was also preceded in death by a grandson, Grant Erdmann; great-granddaughter, Samantha Moland; and one son-in-law, Alan Allery.
Blessed be the memory of Lillian Floan Broden.
In Lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be designated to Fair Meadow Nursing Home, Fertile, MN.
Funeral Service: 2:00 PM, Monday, March 1, 2021, at Maple Bay Free Lutheran Church, rural Mentor, MN, following all of Minnesota and CDC COVID-19 social distancing guidelines. All must wear a mask to attend.
Visitation: A walk-through visitation will take place one hour before the funeral at the church.
Burial: Maple Bay Free Lutheran Cemetery, Maple Bay, MN.
Please view our guestbook and share condolences online for the family.
