Lillian Bethke

Lillian Bethke, 98, Mandan, died October 26, 2017, at a local care center. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday at 9:30 am at the Church of Corpus Christi, 1919 N 2nd St, Bismarck. Visitation will be on Monday from 5:00 – 7:00 pm at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, where a vigil will be held at 7pm. Burial will be at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery. Lillian was born on September 23, 1919, at her home near Huff, ND, to George and Theresa (Brigl) Smith. She was raised and educated in Huff and Mandan ND. Lillian later taught grade school for a few years. Lillian married Emery Bethke on May 6, 1941, and farmed alongside her husband on their farm south of New Salem. She and Emery moved to Mandan in 1992. Lillian enjoyed gardening, cooking, sewing, baking, canning, and she was a hard worker at heart. Lillian is survived by her daughters, Mary Lou Smetak, and Linda (John) Martinson; grandchildren, Mike (Karen) Martinson; great grandchildren, Brittany, Heather, Luke, Noah, and Clay; great-great grandchildren, Izabella, Taeven, and Irwen; and numerous nieces and nephews. Lillian was preceded in death by her husband; granddaughter, Bridgette Fettig; great grandson, Seth; and all 11 siblings.