Lillian Sabourin passed away Wednesday April 25, 2007 at the Christian Park Health Care Center in Escanaba where she was a resident.

Lillian was born in Kipling on November 14, 1917, the youngest daughter of Anna and Emil Strom. She lived most of her life in Gladstone and graduated from the Gladstone High School.

Lillian married Leonard Sabourin on November 15, 1939. He preceded her in death on December 27, 1998. Their three children are Larry (Janelle) of Pawleys Island, SC; Laura (Jerry Foote) of Muscatine, IA; and Len (Jan) of Wauconda, IL. The eight grandchildren are Jill Harper of Knightdale, NC; Nicole (Guy) Loeffler of Apex, NC; Becky (Kirk) Overstreet of LaGrange, IL; Mark (Julie) Foote of Lakemoor, IL; Jeff (Abby) Foote of Aurora, CO; Michelle (Glen) Leichty of Wauconda, IL; Troy (Molly) Sabourin of Chesterton, IN; and Carrie Sabourin of Chicago. There are also 15 great grandchildren.

Lillian is survived by her twin, Gordon Strom of Gladstone and two sister-in-laws’, Lillian Strom of Gladstone and Hilda Strom of California as well as 16 nieces and nephews. She spent her last years rooming with her cousin, Astrid Holm Potvin, who also survives.

She loved babies and toddlers that she felt privileged to care for each Sunday in the Bethel Evangelical Free Church, which her parents were instrumental in founding. She also worked for many years in the Gladstone Bakery. Lillian and Leonard spent several years during WW II in Washington, DC. She enjoyed traveling and visited several countries in addition to almost every state. After Leonard’s death, she spent winter months with her children but insisted on returning to Gladstone to live.

In addition to her parents and husband Leonard, she was preceded in death by:
Four brothers, Edwin, Ewald, Arnie and Melvin Strom, two sisters, Ingrid Dewitt and Sadie Mattson.

Lillian’s family will receive friends on Wednesday May 16, 2007 from 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone. Funeral services celebrating the life of Lillian Sabourin will follow at 2:00 P.M. at the Skradski Funeral Home with Rev. Jerry Foote officiating. Burial will follow at the Gardens of Rest Cemetery in Wells. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Christian Park Health Care Center, envelopes will be available at the Skradski-Boyce Family Funeral Homes.