Lillian Luella (Berquam) Folstad died unexpectedly at her home in Spring Grove on March 17, 2026, at the age of 87. Lillian was born to Bernt and Ella (Treangen) Berquam on December 8, 1938 in the log cabin home her parents built in Black Hammer Township. She was their fourth daughter. She was baptized, confirmed, and married at the Trinity Lutheran Church. She attended Spring Grove Public Schools. Over 69 years ago, on August 25, 1956, she married the love of her life Arland Folstad. Arland (“Ockie”) and Lillian (“Lil”) farmed the Folstad Century Family Farm outside of Hesper, Iowa. She later joined her husband’s church, Hesper Lutheran. Lil was always at Ockie’s side and assisted in driving tractors, milking cows, feeding pigs, and later singing at nursing homes and other venues.
Arland and Lillian were blessed with two daughters, Carolyn (Keith) Haugstad and Judy Folstad-Berg; a granddaughter, Emily (Osei) Owusu; and two great-granddaughters, Ella and Amina. She is survived also by sister Geneva Tweeten, numerous nieces and nephews, other relatives, and many friends.
Lil will always be remembered for her vibrant personality and beautiful smile. Through her kindness and generosity, she taught Sunday School, was a Luther League advisor, and volunteered for various events at the Hesper Lutheran Church.
Lillian was also an amazing cook, loved to sew, and attempted to teach her daughters, despite being left-handed. She also loved to crochet and sewed a variety of sizes of quilts.
Preceded in death by her parents Bernt and Ella Berquam, sisters Emma Landsom and Elvina Bentley, brothers-in-law Milford Landsom, Morris Tweeten and Hayward Bentley; son-in-law David Berg, several nieces and nephews, Arland’s mother and father Martin and Olga Folstad, and Arland’s siblings Elmer (Oranda) Folstad, Beatrice (Aloysius) Schmitz, Melvin (Lelah) Folstad, Maynard (Mabel) (Florence) Folstad, and Charles (Barbara) Folstad.
Everyone loved Lil and wanted her as their mom. Carrie and Judy had this honor and shared her as much as they could. Mother’s Day will certainly not be the same without this amazing woman.
Celebration of life will be Saturday, March 28 at 11 a.m. at Hesper Lutheran Church in Hesper, Iowa. Visitation will take place 9:30-10:45 a.m. before the service. Everyone is welcomed to a noon meal at the Spring Grove Legion. Family will join following interment at Trinity Cemetery (west end of Spring Grove).
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in care of Arland Folstad. The service will be live streamed on Hesper Lutheran Facebook site.
The Mengis Funeral Home in Mabel is assisting with arrangements.
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