DeLores M. Gillan

DeLores Marlene Gillan passed away on June 27, 2024 at the Galeon in Osakis MN. DeLores was born to Willard and Hilda Johnson on June 7, 1933 in Osakis, MN. She was baptized and confirmed in Salem Lutheran Church, Gordon Township in Osakis, MN. She graduated from Osakis High School in 1951 and attended one year of nurses training at Minneapolis Vocational.

On May 1st, 1953 she was united in marriage to Russell Gillan at Zion Lutheran Church, Minneapolis, MN. They resided in Fridley, MN. Three children, Michael (Rita) Gillan of Libby, MT, Terry (Bill) Myers of Linwood, MN and Geri (Richard) Skreen of Castle Rock, WA were born to this union. The family later built a home in Blaine, MN and moved there in 1966. In 1986 DeLores and Russell retired and built a home in Osakis, MN on the place where Russell grew up.

DeLores practiced nursing at various hospitals in the cities during her working career. She took up refinishing furniture and furnished many a room with her hobby. After moving back to Osakis she began helping her dad, along with her sister, Sonja, on the farm. She enjoyed gardening/yardwork, crocheting afghans, and continued restoring furniture - for herself and others. She was an active member of Salem Lutheran Church where she enjoyed quilting with the Ladies Aid and spent many years on the Salem Cemetery Board, with a passion for keeping the grounds maintained.Preceding her in death were her parents, husband, and brother, Dexter. Surviving her are her children, five grandchildren Bonnie (Rudy) Geber, Jodi (Brady) Turk, Angela Winter, Mikel and Mali Skreen, sister Sonja (Allen) Starry, sister-in-law Anna Marie Johnson, brother-in-law Richard Gillan, and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 27 at Salem Lutheran Church, 16134 170th St., Osakis at 11 a.m. with visitation one hour prior to the service. A short inurnment graveside service will take place directly after. A luncheon reception will follow. Pastor Lexy Carson will officiate. The service will be livestreamed on Salem/Sauk Valley Lutheran Churches Facebook page if you are unable to attend.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to any of the following:

Salem Lutheran Church; Hospice of Douglas County, 725 Elm St., #1200, Alexandria, MN 56308; or Lakes Area Humane Society, 3811 Nevada St. S.W., Alexandria, MN 56308