Lillian Elizabeth Rendahl was born on April 11, 1918 in Oakland, California. She was raised in Berkeley, California, and was the eldest child of Leonard and Maria Rendahl. Lillian graduated from theUniversity of California, Berkeley with a Mathematics degree in 1940. Lillian went on to earn a teaching credential and began her teaching career in the northern California foothills in Jackson, California before moving back to the bay area and teaching mathematics and home economics at Presentation Girls' High School back in Berkeley. She was the only non-Catholic faculty member at that time; some of her fondest memories of teaching were at Presentation, where she met and became friends with many of the Catholic nuns on staff.
Lillian lost her mother, brother and father early in her life; those losses brought her closer to defining her family through many uncles, aunts and first cousins from the Anderson, Rendahl and Bunnel families. Thesefamilies have remained significant to her throughout her entire life.
Berkeley Covenant Church was a significant part of Lillian's life. She was an active member of the church from early childhood until her mid-40s. Lillian taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, and faithfullyserved on many boards and committees. She met her first husband, Woody Burnett at Berkeley Covenant. They were married in 1945 and were married for 18 years before Woody died in 1963.
A couple of years later, Lillian met and married Ernest Friesen at church. They were married in June 1965 at the Yosemite Chapel, surrounded by close friends and family. Ernie and Lillian moved to San Jose, California in 1967. In March 1968, Ernie and Lillian adopted their first child, Maria, and in 1971, they adopted their second child, Kamala. The Friesens were active members of Alum Rock Covenant Church, where, like Berkeley Covenant, Ernie and Lillian taught Sunday School, and served on multiple boards and committees. Lillian was always an enthusiastic hostess, and opened her home to many during their time in San Jose, including missionaries, youth groups and families. Lillian was always in the church kitchen or her own kitchen, cooking and baking for small and large groups alike. She especially enjoyed the planning and cooking for Alum Rock's annual Christmas Smorgasbord and would begin preparation early in the fall.
The family particularly enjoyed vacations to Hawaii, and it became a bi-annual tradition to travel to the islands. Raising her family was the most important thing for Lillian during her years in San Jose. Ernie and Lillian were married for 18 years.
Ernie passed away in 1984 after a brief battle with cancer. Lillian remained in San Jose; in 1985, she was reacquainted with a longtime family friend, Ralph Hanson, who had been recently widowed. Ralph and Lillian fell in love and were married in 1986, and because both of them were retired, they enjoyed many world travels together, including trips to Europe, Asia, and Russia. They travelled to many places that Ralph had served as a Covenant missionary, including a memorable return to Alaska where Ralph had served the Covenant Church for many years. Ralph and Lillian remained in San Jose until 1994, before moving to Covenant Village for a brief time and then to Covenant Shores in 1997.
Ralph and Lillian were married for 20 years.During this time, Lillian adopted Ralph's family into her fold, and considered the entire Hanson family as part of her family, including Paul and Louella, Dave and Connie and 7 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.Ralph passed away in 2006, and Lillian continued to have an active life at Covenant Shores, volunteering in many areas of the Shores community. Lillian passed away in her sleep on May 28, 2012.
Lillian is survived by two daughters, Maria (and Dave) Kallmeyer, granddaughters Olivia, Gwen and Schuyler; and Kam (and Dave) Bullard, grandchildren Carolyn, Ian, Erik and Elise.
Many people from many generations have been touched by Lillian's presence and impact in their life; she will be truly missed. Peace to her memory.