Jenny Lillebo

Jenny Bergit Lillebo, 94, of Missoula, passed away on Sunday, October 6, 2024.

Our hearts are broken.

She was born on August 9, 1930, in Brooklyn, New York to Gudrun and Olaf Olsen. When she was a baby, her family moved back to Lista, Norway where her parents were from. It was difficult times in Norway, so her mother moved back to New York to find work to support her family. Jenny and her sister, Ester, stayed in Norway where they were raised by their grandparents. She told many stories about how wonderful they were and how much she loved them. Her favorite story to tell was during the war, her grandmother would make potato cakes and send Jenny to go hand them out to the prisoners of war marching by her house. Jenny filled her coat pockets with potato cakes and would sneak them to the prisoners as they walked by. She always remembered the gratitude on their faces. The German soldiers took over their home and made them find another place to live. She remembers wearing paper shoes during that time period.

The war kept her and her mother apart for years. When she was 16 years old, her mother took a ship to Norway and brought her and her sister back with her to Brooklyn. Jenny worked as an Opare and started her journey in America.

One of the highlights in her life was a night in 1957 when Jenny and her girlfriends were all dressed up and ready to go to a dance, but instead of heading to the dance, Jenny and a girlfriend decided to go listen to American Evangelist Billy Graham at Madison Square Garden. Little did they know he would become one of the most respected and admired men in history. It was a powerful evening Jenny always talked about.

On July 23, 1960, she married Ivar Lillebo in Brooklyn, New York. The couple lived there with their two daughters, Yvonne and Debbie, until moving to Missoula in 1966. Ivar decided Brooklyn was not a place to raise a family. Jenny did not unpack for two years because she missed the big city. After a trip back to New York she grew to love Montana and it became her home.

She was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church for many years. She was an active member of the Sons of Norway. They were a part of the Norwegian folk dancing group with many performances where lots of fun was had.

She enjoyed knitting and baking Norwegian cakes and cookies. Jenny was an immaculate housekeeper; her house was always pin perfect and ready to welcome guests and serve them coffee and her homemade Norwegian desserts.

Jenny had a love for fashion. She was always dressed up and never left the house unless she was completely put together.

Jenny went out of her way to always make people feel special. She was very generous; she would not pass by a homeless person without giving them money. She always worried they were hungry.

One of her proudest moments was when she became a Mormor. Brooke, granddaughter, and Leif, grandson, brought her pure joy. She adored them both and they were a priority in her life.

After her husband's retirement, they became world travelers, traveling wherever her husband booked the next trip. They traveled to Mexico yearly and many other places around the world. One of her favorite trips was to China.

Like Jenny always said, "Nothing ever stays the same" That's for sure...our lives are changed forever.

God Natt! Sov som en katt!

She is preceded in death by her mother, Gudrun Olsen, her father, Olaf Olsen, her sister, Ester Furesund, and her husband, Ivar Lillebo.

Survivors include two daughters and their families: Yvonne Lillebo (Don Mathews) of Seattle, Debbie Lillebo-Weisser (Ryan Weisser) of Missoula, two grandchildren, Brooke Mathews (Jarrett Vathier) and Leif Mathews, as well as many brothers and sisters-in-law and nieces and nephews in Norway.

The service will be held on Friday, October 18, 2024 at 11 am at St. Paul's Lutheran Church with Chaplain Daniel Disch officiating. There will be a reception following the service.

Pallbearers are Ryan Weisser, Don Mathews, Brooke Mathews, Leif Mathews, Jarrett Vathier, and Eirik Lillebo.