Everyone who knew her agrees that Lillian C. (Nitteberg) Tingstad was a kind, sweet, gentlewoman.

Although she was born in Calumet, Mich., she lived most of her 93 years in the Pacific Northwest.

She was a true homemaker in the best sense of the word. Lillian enjoyed reading, crocheting, playing cards, bingo and word-find puzzles.

Mrs. Tingstad passed away in the early morning of Saturday, Jan. 25, 2003 at Careage in Coupeville where she had resided for the past three months. She was the last survivor of her four sisters and two brothers.

Her father, Christian Nitteberg, was a street car motorman, who brought his family to Ballard when Lillian was still a young girl. She grew up there and was educated in the Ballard schools.

Lillian met her husband-to-be, Ryder Tingstad, at a dance in Ballard. After their marriage they had two sons, Jack Tingstad of Coupeville and Gary Tingstad of Cypress, Calif., both of whom were born in Seattle. Ryder was born in Norway; Lillian, Jack and Gary are all first-generation American-Norwegian.

The young family moved from Ballard to West Seattle and then to Sunnydale, a small community just northwest of what is now the Sea-Tac airport, at the beginning of World War II. Ryder had served in the Cavalry between the two great wars. The family kept a Victory garden from which Lillian canned food for her family. They also raised chickens, ducks, geese, rabbits and once even a pig to supply their meat during that time of meat rationing and food stamps. This was a three-acre residential farm with flowing lawns down to the gated entrance. Theirs was always a neat and tidy place.

After their sons graduated from Highline High School, Ryder and Lill moved back to Ballard for their retirement years. After Lillian was widowed in 1961, she maintained that home on her own until a brief illness in 2001. She then moved to Oak Harbor Retirement Center where she made many friends before going into Careage. She found more friends there.

Lillian is survived by her two sons, six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Lillian was laid to rest next to Ryder at Evergreen-Washelli, 11111 Aurora Ave. N., Seattle.

There will be a gathering of family and friends in her honor at a later date.

The family suggests memorials to a favorite charity.