Lillian Esther Stresser

WINTHROP – Lillian Esther Stresser passed away on Dec. 5, 2024 following a stroke and courageous battle with cancer. She was 86 years old.

Lillian Suelter grew up on a farm in Lincoln, Kan. and spent her middle and high school years in Manhattan, Kan. She graduated from Kansas State University in 1960 at a time when one in 10 women obtained college degrees. She and a girlfriend drove a convertible from Kansas to Portland, Ore. that summer and she soon found work as a medical technician at the University of Oregon Medical Center.

Following her marriage to Donald Stresser in July, 1961, the couple, with newborn, Stephen, moved to Seattle, Wash., eventually settling into suburban life in Edmonds, Wash. After second son, David, was born, life revolved around church, school, sports with a lot of weekend camping, hiking and skiing. During a two-year economic downturn, Lillian supported the family working as a medical technician. A job transfer opportunity for Don led to a family move to Winthrop.

Between being a mother to the boys, she kept busy working at Key Bank and Hufnagel & Lake LLC on Main Street, socializing with friends and singing alto in her beloved CODA chorus. After enduring the unexpecting passing of Don in 2002, she spent more time with family and friends. She especially enjoyed her time out at the camp on Maranacook Lake, where she found solace and beauty. Always up for adventure, she traveled extensively including several trips internationally with family and friends. In addition to CODA chorus, she enjoyed quilting, movies, puzzles, games and following her favorite sports teams the Red Sox, the Celtics, the Patriots and the K State Wildcats.

She will be remembered for her optimism, kindness, sense of humor, age-defying energy, adventurous spirit and being a good friend, loving parent and grandparent.

She is survived by brothers Clarence Suelter, Harold Suelter, Leonard Suelter and sister, Marjorie Helmke; sons Stephen and David, their spouses Linda and Beth; grandchildren Brian, Michaela, Alexandra, Noah, Evan, Lucy and Clio.

She was preceded in death by her husband Don; brother, Richard; and parents Esther and Alfred Suelter.

Services will be held at Emmanuel Lutheran Episcopal Church, 209 Eastern Ave., Augusta, on Wednesday, Dec. 18 at 10 a.m.

Arrangements and guidance are in the care of Roberts Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 62 Bowdoin St., Winthrop.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the Roberts Funeral Home website, http://www.khrfuneralhomes.com

In lieu of flower arrangements, donations can be made in her name to Bridging the Gap (https://www.btgaugusta.org/support-us), an organization she supported that helps people by connecting them to basic needs and community resources.