Lonna J. Hillis

Lonna J. Hillis, age 62, of Cavalier, ND passed away on Thursday, July 24, 2015 in Cooperstown, ND with her husband and three daughters by her side.
Lonna Jean (Stenerson) Hillis was born on January 26, 1953, in Grafton, ND, to Lon and Arlene (Holt) Stenerson. She attended school in St. Thomas, ND, graduating in 1971. After high school, Lonna attended the University of North Dakota where she graduated with her bachelor's degree in Music Education. After college, Lonna taught school in Maddock ND, Melrose, MN, Grand Forks, ND, and Grafton, ND before marrying John B. Hillis June 12, 1982.
John and Lonna began their life in Backoo, ND before moving to Cavalier, ND in 1988. She taught private piano lessons from 1982-2010. In 2004, Lonna started teaching choir in St. Vincent, MN at Lake Agassi School. Lonna loved everything about music and teaching. She enjoyed sharing her talent with everyone, volunteering at various nursing homes to play piano and accompanying her girls with their various music endeavors.
As a member of United Lutheran Church, Lonna was involved in Worship and Music, was a member of the choir, helped implement a contemporary worship band, was the Sunday School music director, and gave her time as a church pianist/organist. She also became involved with a program called Sounds Like Love.
Lonna and John were blessed with three daughters, Sadie, Whitney, and Hannah, Kayla Wolf, a close friend of the family, and three wonderful grandchildren; they were her whole world. Lonna was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, and friend. She was filled with a passion to help others in need and bring them joy through her musical talent. In her free time, Lonna enjoyed making homemade cards and sending them to her loved ones. She also enjoyed reading, photography and scrapbooking, riding her bike and gardening in the sun, volunteering, and spending time with family and friends.
She is survived by her husband, John Hillis of Cavalier, ND; daughters, Sadie Hillis of Grand Forks, ND, Whitney (Brady) Austfjord of Cavalier, ND, Hannah Hillis of Grand Forks, ND; three grandchildren Vohn, Declan, and Harloe Austfjord of Cavalier, ND; her siblings, Leanne (Steve) Olslund of Fargo, ND and Montelle (Donna) Stenerson of Stevens Point, WI; her sister-in-laws Kathy (Herb) Debban of Lenoir City, TN and Susan (Bart) Thompson of Flagstaff, AZ; her brother-in-law, Stan (Joan) Parrish of Deadwood, SD; and several nieces and nephews.
Lonna was proceeded in death by her parents, Lon and Arlene (Holt) Stenerson; her father-in-law, Jack Hillis; her sister-in-law, Joan Parrish.
Lonna's family and friends will be participating in the Walk to End Alzheimer's this September in Grand Forks, ND. They ask that donations be sent to team HILLIS by going to alz.org and clicking on Walk to End Alzheimer's.
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, July 28, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. at the United Lutheran Church, Cavalier, ND. Visitation will be held on Monday, July 27th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service at the church. Interment will be held in the Cavalier Cemetery.