Lillian King
Lillian (Moses) King, 84, of Fond du Lac, died peacefully surrounded by her family on Friday, June 10, 2022. The daughter of Elias (Louis) & Rose (Abboussuan) Moses, she was born on July 3, 1937, in the Village of Saghbine, located in the Western Beqaa District of Lebanon. On June 2, 1962, she married David L. King at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
Lilly’s father proudly served as a member of the United States Army during WWI, which granted her citizenship in the United States. She was 13 years old when her family sailed the ocean to America and made Fond du Lac their home. Lilly graduated from L. P. Goodrich High School and Moraine Park Technical College becoming a licensed practical nurse (LPN). For the next 30 years, she proudly worked at Maple Manor and St. Agnes Hospital before retiring.
Many fond memories were created at her homes in Fond du Lac, particularly on Second Street, where Lilly and David raised their six children. Her passion was in the kitchen where it always smelled of fresh talamee and other Lebanese favorites. Although no measurements were ever used – more, not enough – her recipes will carry on through those she loved most. Lilly treasured the time in the kitchen with her children, grandchildren, and her great grandchildren, as food and conversations were a direct line to the heart and brought everyone together. Although, if she wasn’t cooking or baking, she was sewing a dress, patching a hole in a pair of pants, knitting a new hat, creating something new from something old, or watering & caring for her garden – all with the greatest amount of love – and always with a child, grandchild, or great grandchild by her side.
Upon retiring from nursing, Lilly shared her love of baking and taking care of others by opening and operating Fondy’s favorite “Cool Beans & Bagels” shop. This gave her the opportunity to fill many more hearts and feed more than just her family. She also cherished the friendships she made as a nurse with her co-workers and continued to get together with “the ladies” for their monthly lunches.
A devout member of Holy Family Church, Lilly’s faith and love will continue to shine through and guide those she has left behind; she will be deeply missed.
Lilly is survived by her children Sandra (Keith Eccher) King, Janet (Paul) Osterholm, Sr., Col. (ret.) David (Vicki) King, James (Christine) King, Ann Marie Johnson, and Michael (Jennifer) King. She was the best “Sitto” to Paul Jr. (Katie) Osterholm, Marguerite (Adam) Geiser, David Jr. (MaryBeth) King, Madeline King, Elizabeth King, Mason King, Gracie King, and great-granddaughters Oakleigh Osterholm & Abigail Geiser. She is further survived by her sister Noel Buetow and brother George (Carol) Moses, and her in-laws Delores Ivey, Joan Nagy, Geraldine “Gerry” Develice, Mary (Kerry) Nelson, Kenneth (Karen) King, and Donna (Steve) Faris, Audrey King, and many nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death is her husband, her parents, and in-laws Darwin “George” & Lucille King. She was also preceded by her sisters and brothers in-law John & Therese Delfeld, Robert & Nenatte Donovan, and Kenneth Buetow, Darwin “George”, Robert “Sudsy”, and John King; her grandchildren Adam & Alexander King; great grandchild Baby Geiser; in-laws Stanley Develice and James Ivey; nephews Todd Buetow and Jessie King.
The family would like to thank the team of doctors, nurses, and caregivers from SSM Health, SSM Health Cancer Center, Hospice Home Care, and Hospice Home of Hope.
Visitation will take place on Monday, June 13, 2022, from 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at Holy Family Church, 271 Fourth St. Way, Fond du Lac, WI 54937. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow the visitation at 12:30 p.m. Entombment will follow the service at Chapel of the Risen Christ Mausoleum, Calvary Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established.