Lila Mae Baustian

LILA MAE BAUSTIAN was born on November 16, 1939 to William and Alta (Phelps) Denstedt in Park Rapids, Minnesota. At a young age, Lila was adopted by LaRoy and Martha (Christensen) Satter and was raised on their family farm near Holland, Minnesota. She attended school in Pipestone, Minnesota and graduated high school in 1958. After high school, she worked various jobs. Lila loved dancing, especially polka dancing and square dancing. While at a dance at the Hollyhock Ballroom in Hatfield, Minnesota, she met her future husband, Norbert Baustian. On June 13, 1962 the couple was united in marriage at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne. They made their home on the family farm west of Luverne. After all of their children started school, she completed the registered nursing program at Sioux Valley Hospital’s School of Nursing. Lila then went to work as a registered nurse at the Royal C. Johnson’s Veterans Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. In 2008, she retired after 27 years as a registered nurse. Norb preceded Lila in death on March 11, 2006. On Saturday, September 5, 2015, following a courageous 13 month battle with cancer, Lila died peacefully at the Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls at the age of 75 years, nine months and 19 days.

Lila was a member of the St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne where she belonged to ladies circle. She was active in the 4-H Club when her children were young, helping them care for farm animals and attending county fairs. She loved life in the country, tending her garden, growing vegetables, feeding and watching the birds, baking, and attending polka festivals with her husband Norbert. She enjoyed playing cards. She and Norbert belonged to a monthly Pinochle club with the neighbors. She also liked fishing, vacationing with her siblings, and following the MN Twins, Vikings and Golden Gophers. Above all, Lila will be remembered as one who lived for her children and attending her grandchildren’s activities. She loved her time with family.

She is survived by her five children: LTC. David L. Soergel and his wife Mary of Camp Zama, Tokyo, Japan, and their son, Nicholas A.; Julie and her husband Fred Slettom of Little Falls, Minnesota, and their children Savanna and Sam; Tom and his wife Theresa Baustian of Luverne, Minnesota, and their children Tanner, Trey, Tacey and Trista; Janet and her husband Lennie Varilek of Jackson, Minnesota, and their children Alysse Rasmussen (Grant) and Ethan; and Shelley and her husband Bryce Jensen of Sioux Falls, and their children Kyle and Corey; four siblings, Ken Satter (Darlene) of Brandon, South Dakota, Norman Denstedt (Esther) of Park Rapids, Minnesota, Dean Denstedt of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, and Ellie Scherber (Donald) of Maple Grove, Minnesota; brother-in-law, Gary Panzer of Bemidji, Minnesota; and other family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Norb; parents; and a sister, Janice Panzer.