Lillian E. Hefty

Mrs. Lillian E. Hefty, a former Monticello resident, died Sunday, March 6, 2016, at the Glarner Lodge in New Glarus.

Lillian was born on July 16, 1915 in Washington Township, Green County, the daughter of William E. and Louisa F. (Bidlingmaier) Klassy. She attended Green County Normal after she graduated from Monticello High School in 1932. She taught at the TownLine and Marty one-room country schools. Her marriage to Werner T. Hefty took place on February 24, 1935 and the couple farmed in Washington Township until moving to Monticello.

Lillian's love of education was evident throughout her life, and in 1967 she returned to teaching in Monticello and had the privilege of teaching 4 ^th and 5 ^th grade for 13 years. She served on the Monticello school board for 16 years, including nine years as the board's first female president. She earned her bachelor's degree in 1976 from UW Platteville.

Lillian was a founding member of the Monticello Area Historical Society, and in her retirement, she liked giving back to Monticello as the informal "Town Historian." People visiting the area were frequently referred to Lillian for information on family and community history. Lillian was a proud lifetime member of Zwingli UCC in Monticello.

She was preceded in death by her husband in 1982 and a son, William, in 1961. Lillian is survived by her daughter, Marian (Howard) Ganther; her son, Thomas (Suzanne) Hefty; her brother, Roger Klassy; grandchildren, Jim Ganther, Julie (Kenny) Urmie, Sarah (Patrick) Gibbs, Anne (Brian) Veit; step-grandchildren, Stephanie Hentz (Stacie Erck) and Carolyn (Adam) Reed; and ten great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 11, 2016, at 11:30 a.m., at Zwingli United Church of Christ, Monticello, with Pastor Petra Streiff officiating. Interment will be in Highland Cemetery, Monticello, followed by a luncheon at the church. Visitation will be at the church on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Memorials in Lillian's name are suggested to the Monticello Excellence in Education Fund, Zwingli UCC, or the Monticello Historical Society. The Voegeli-Newcomer Funeral Home, Monticello, is assisting the family. Condolences may be sent to www.newcomerfuneralhome.net

Lillian, age 100, was greatly loved by her family and will be dearly missed. Her cherished "Words of Wisdom" to her family concluded with this poem:

"When the golden sun is setting; And your mind from care is free; When of others you are thinking; Will you sometimes think of me?"