Lillian Harriet Burshia Summers was born on March 8, 1927, in Poplar, Montana. She was the eldest daughter of Ben Burshia and Agnes Kennedy Burshia. In 1948 she married Robert Irving Summers, Sr. and started a family. She was an intelligent, curious woman who was the first in her family to graduate from college. She attended Montana State University in Bozeman and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Family Life Sciences and a minor in Psychology and Sociology in 1973. She immediately went to work for the State Extension Office in Missoula. Lillian loved her work and she loved teaching; as she compiled and created recipe booklets and taught the public how to cook, bake and general home enhancement.
She returned to her home in Poplar in the late 70’s and went to work for the Tribes. She held a position with Community Action for a number of years and was the Deputy Director of the Community Services Program for 19 years. Her last position with the Fort Peck Tribes was as a client advocate at the Spotted Bull Treatment Center before she retired in 2006.
Lil was always a smartly and impeccably dressed. She was a soft spoken and wise woman who loved the Lord and loved her family. She, also, had a love of gardening and working in her yard. It was always beautifully kept with an abundance of flowers and statuary. She was an excellent cook and enjoyed cooking and baking for family gatherings. She will, also, be remembered for her sense of humor, her infectious laugh and her love of life. Her little cocker spaniel, Casey was her constant companion and was dearly loved even after his death several years ago. Her most recent pet companions were 2 loving cats, Mitt Mitt and Fuzz.
Lil left her home, peacefully, and went on home to the Lord on June 28, 2019, at the age of 93. She has been reunited with her parents, Ben and Agnes Burshia, her younger sister, Sophia Loudermilk, and her granddaughter, Angela Summers.
She is survived by her son, Robert Summers and his wife, Sybil, her daughter, Shelley Summers, and seven grandchildren; Dawn, Rob, Alexa, Melissa, Terri Lee, Robert and Ben. She is also survived by eleven great grandchildren; Chandler Summers, Teddy Jr., Tyrus, Camryn and Kolby Ricker, Kasen and Anessa Summers, Tyren and Eliza Summers, and Zoey and Aiden Summers. Lil also leaves her niece, Linda Burshia Battle, nephews, Ken, Jim and Bruce Loudermilk. Funeral arrangements are pending.