Lillian “Lil” Lula Morgan (August 11th, 1933 – February 9th, 2025)
On the afternoon of February 9th, 2025, Lil passed away peacefully of natural causes at St. James Hospital in Butte, MT surrounded by her loved ones. Lil was 91 years old.
Lil was born in Red Lodge, MT on August 11th, 1933, to Severi and Lula Lyytinen. The oldest of 5 children, Lil learned to love at an early age. Her family moved to Butte when she was around 12 years old. Lil attended Grant School and graduated from Butte High School in 1951. That same year, Lil married the love of her life, Buck. They then brought their 2 children, Jim and Linda, into the world. Lil spent her life doing the things she loved most: fishing, camping, snowmobiling, 4-wheeling, and hunting (once bagging a trophy bull elk). Lil also had a passion for both gardening –everyone had a love for her beautiful garden – and cooking: she was very proud of her Finnish heritage and taught her family to make her famous “Finn bread”.
Lil spent a lot of her time throughout her life with her family. From picnics in her backyard to lunch at Wendy’s with her great grandkids, many childhood memories were created because of her.
Gram- Thank you for creating our beautiful family and pouring your love into every person you knew. We will sure miss our Montana Millionaire tickets and giving you your “favorite shirt” for Christmas every year.
Lil is survived by many loving family members her daughter, Linda (Larry) McGillvray; grandchildren, Shayne (Lisa) Morgan, Brandon (Kristy) McGillvray, Dustin (Rachelle) McGillvray, and Trista (Josh) Mullaney; great-grandchildren, Rylinn Mullaney, Tommijo McGillvray, Canyon Mullaney, Gage McGillvray, Ashlinn Mullaney, Kira Bergsing, and Shaylee McGillvray; sister, Betty Gilham; brother, Bill (Cathy) Rautio; sister-in-law, Cindy Hertin; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Lil is preceded in death by her life partner of 67 years, Jim “Buck” Morgan; son, Jim Morgan; brothers, John Rautio and Gary Hertin; brother-in-law, Butch Gilham; and nephew, Jim Gilham.
Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Lillian.
Axelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been privileged to care for Lillian and her family.
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Phyllis P. Bratten says
Lil was such a loving and caring lady. Lil and Jim were our neighbors for about ten years. They were the best neighbors – loved talking to them over the fence about their latest adventure in the forest on their Razor, cooking weiners for lunch and how many miles they had covered. I will truly miss visiting with Lil and sharing coffee with a muffin or a piece of pie and talking for hours. Great memories and I will miss her so very much – may you rest in peace and free from pain sweat Lil
Sally Huhtanen says
So sorry for the loss of Lil. Have known her and her siblings for many years though lost contact recently. Good memories shared with them all over years. Miss being in touch especially in your losses. God be with all her family. Prayers.