Lily T. Brovald, age 85, of St. Paul, MN, passed away on October 8, 2012 at Highland Chateau Nursing Home in St Paul.

She was born on October 1, 1927 in Stanley, WI, to parents Henry and Lily (Johnson) Thorpe. Her mother passed away when Lily was nine days old, and her Aunt Olga (Thorpe) (Rev. and Mrs. Nils Mehlen) of Harvey, ND became her foster parents. Upon retirement, they moved back to Stanley.

Lily married Walter H. Brovald on December 31, 1950 in Stanley. They were married for 40 years. Lily worked for Wisconsin Telephone Co. in Stanley and Eau Claire and worked with her husband at The Cadott Sentinel newspaper in Cadott, WI for 14 years. After moving to St. Paul, MN, she worked for 1 ½ years at Montgomery Ward, and 19 ½ years at the College of St. Thomas (now University) at the switchboard and information center. Lily retired on June 1, 1990, but worked part time at St. Thomas until January 1991. Her husband Walter passed away in January 1991.

Survivors include five nephews and three nieces.

Lily is preceded in death by her parents, husband Walter, brother Omer J. Thorpe, half-brother William Thorpe, foster sister Borghild Mehlen, foster brother Harold R. Mehlen, and brother-in-law and sister-in-law Lloyd and Margaret Brovald.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, October 12, 2012 at 1:30pm at Stokes, Prock & Mundt Funeral Chapel in Altoona, WI, with Pastor David Irgens officiating.