Lillian Deshnod Litfin

May 10th, 1934 to May 29th, 2023. Lillian Deshnod Litfin was born on the Navajo Reservation in Shiprock, NM to Dish Nose (Deshnod) White and Tosbah White. She passed at her home in Newberg, OR under the watchful care of her daughter Rhoda, into eternity to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus. She was preceded in death by her parents and all her siblings. Lillian was brought up on the reservation. She would tell that, as a child, she helped watch the sheep, care for her younger siblings, gather wood, and help Bima (her mom) around the house. She told of taking the sheep to summer camp and getting up one morning and seeing a bear walking up the other side of the mountain. She told of countless other adventures as a child until she had to go to boarding school. Throughout boarding school mom learned about our Lord and Savior and the Bible. Eventually, mom gave her heart and life to Jesus. After graduation from school it was Lillian's passion to share the love of God through Christ Jesus with her people. While serving on the mission field, Lillian met a young man, Galen Litfin, who was serving there as well. They were married at Torreon on April 6th, 1958. While serving the Lord in Torreon Roy, Lee and Miriam were born in Cuba, NM. We've heard many stories of the personal impact Galen and Lillian had on the Navajo people in the Torreon, Tinian, the Ojo Encino area and beyond. Many times we've been told how Lillian led someone - or their family members - to the Lord. After moving to Oregon in 1962 Ted, Ben and Rhoda were added to the family of five to make a family of eight. Even while making a life in Oregon, our parents continued to serve the Navajo people by taking in foster children from the Eastern Navajo Reservation. Mom loved to travel. Even after dad went to be with Jesus she loved the occasional trip to the Oregon Coast. She loved her time at the Newberg Senior Center as well where she enjoyed playing games with the others. She became quite the pool player - perhaps even better than all her children. Lillian loved and prayed every day for her 6 children, 16 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren. Recently when mom and I were talking about our eternity with Jesus, knowing that she prayed for us every day, I asked her "who's going to pray every day for all of us when you go to heaven?" She gave me that sideways look a mother gives when she knows you already know the answer: "Well of course, you are" was her reply. Lillian Deshnod Litfin: She faithfully loved God our Holy Father through Jesus Christ, receiving the Holy Spirit as evidence of God's salvation. 2 Timothy 4:7-8 I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.

Lillian Deshnod Litfin

May 10, 1934 - May 29, 2023