Lilly “Gaga” Martell, age 95 of Somerset, WI died peacefully on Friday, December 3, 2010 at the St. Croix County Health Center in New Richmond, WI. Born on January 3, 1915 in Minneapolis, MN, she was the daughter of Jennie and Andrew Knutson.
Lilly was married to Steve Martell in 1937 at the Stillwater Courthouse, by the Justice of the Peace. Lilly and Steve moved to Somerset, WI in 1944. Together they raised their daughter Jacqueline and enjoyed 7 grandchildren and 51 years of marriage.
Lilly enjoyed owning and operating many family owned businesses, including Martell Well Drilling, the Somerset Dairy Queen, Wild Waters Water Park, and rental properties, until retiring at the young age of 90. She loved her family above all. She also enjoyed spoiling her dog (Grampsie), traveling, shopping and going to garage sales.
Lilly will remain in the hearts of her daughter, Jackie Solsvig (Judy Dean); son-in-law, George Solsvig; seven grandchildren: Steve (Janet) Foster, Cindy Foster, Mick (Betsy) Foster, Tim (Minda) Foster, Chrissy (Matt) Bibeau, Susie (John) Santer, Jenni (Dan) Martin; 17 great-grandchildren: Steve (Jessi), Mandy, Angel (Chad), Archie (Megan), Michael, Emmitt, Mitchell, Collette (Shane), Marshall, Brennan, Alaina, Justin (Kristine), Sharisse, Billie Jo, Heidi, Logan, and Lilly; and six great-great-grandchildren: Carter, Gabby, Paige, Abby, Rhiannon, and Gerrick. She is further survived by many nieces and nephews, and special friends including: Nancy Kalsto, Roberta Jelle, Kathlene Morris, Miriam Wolfe, Doris Lawrence, Lidia Lindsey, Johnny Powell and all of her “Tiddley Toots” who cared for her at The St. Croix Health Center.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Steve (December 1988); brother, Bernell Knutson; sister, Pearl Kalsto; nephew, Edwin Kalsto; son-in-law, Mitch Foster; and grandson, Archie Montpetit.
A Celebration of Lilly’s Life will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, December 9th, at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home, Hudson Chapel. Visitation from 10-11:00. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. Croix County Health Center. Private interment in Somerset at St. Anne’s Cemetery. Services have been entrusted to the O’Connell Family Funeral Home and Countryside Crematory, 715-386-3725.