Church fixture for more than 40 years

“The music at Highland Lutheran is “absolutely fantastic.”
— Marty Baumgartner

His mother was a strong musical influence as well as mentor.
Darrell Lilleberg, well-known for his musical ability, also credits his mother, Lillian Lilleberg, for much of his staying-power in the 40 plus years of organ and piano playing at Highland Lutheran Church in rural Cummings, North Dakota.
The Lilleberg family, like many in the area, were originally immigrants from Norway, where Darrell tells, his great grandfather was a carpenter “making caskets and such.” At the turn of the century, grandfather Marcus was working in farms around Cummings and by the early 1920s had purchased his own farm holding.
Darrell, brother Phillip and sister Laurel grew up on a farm near Cummings, where church and activities related to Highland Lutheran were a strong component in his life. “Originally the church, which was established in 1879, met in various members homes, and in 1895 the structure was built,” Darrell tells.

On the original church rolls, Lilleberg names are common, including Ole, George S., Elias and John E. Lilleberg. Darrell remembers all the church events, including Missionfest Dinners in the spring, where monies were sent to missions. Church picnics on the grounds where family softball games were played were also special times. And the fall fundraiser dinners featuring Norwegian specialties and, of course, casseroles were always a highlight of the year.
“The Ladies Aid would meet at the church for projects like quilting and rug making, and their meetings would always include a meal where families could come and join them.” It was pretty common, Darrel says, for farmers to slip away from the field for awhile to go for lunch at the church and then bring their wives home afterwards.
“My mother played the piano” said her son. “She was legally blind, but she loved music and could play by ear. She was a strong mentor for me regarding music”
At the age of 6, young Darrell began piano lessons under the tutelage of Jeanette Larson, who was the organist in Buxton. Mary Ann Boeddeker, a young lady who was the organist at the time for Highland Lutheran, continued Darrell’s piano instruction. And at age 11, Darrell became the organist for Highland Lutheran Church, for a stipend of $35 per year, “which seemed like pretty big money then,” Darrell says, smiling. Since his training at the time was on piano, young Darrell was sent to Mrs. Forney, located above the old Scott’s Music Store in Grand Forks, for a total of six organ lessons.
Throughout the years Darrell has taken his commitment to playing for the church to heart, occasionally as a youth given leave from high school so he might play for a funeral, and later he and wife Deloris, planned their time around church services. “We maybe miss three weekends a year,” said his spouse and staunchest supporter.
“My feeling is that people who have a talent should use it!” she said.
Darrell and Deloris were high school sweethearts who married in Buxton on July 1, 1966. The pair were cheered and congratulated when they drove a 1966 Cadillac Coupe in Hillsboro’s 125th celebration parade last summer. The car had a sign saying “Just married . . . 40 Years Ago!”
Over the years Darrell has played for benefits and local programs, including acting as accompaniest when daughter Teresa sang at a school contest.
“I was the oldest accompaniest there!” he laughed. But, the father-daughter team did well, and went on to participate at a state contest in Bismarck that year. Darrell and Deloris are also parents of a daughter Cindy Doeden, of Hillsboro, and a son Paul.
“All of them took band and can read music . . . and they can sing if they want to,” stated their parents proudly.
When listening to music, Darrell favors country music as well as one of the “three tenors” Pavarotti.
Deloris tells how her husband plays organ, piano, accordion and some guitar and then there’s the old stereo whose speakers he hooks into an electronic keyboard at home for background rhythm sounds.
And, of course, he collects music books, having over 100 of them. Like his mother, Darrell often plays by “ear.”
Music at Highland Lutheran “is absolutely fantastic!” said local Marty Baumgartner of Wildeman Funeral Home. A consensus held by many, it should be noted.
Pastor Doug Norquist says. “It’s really a blessing to have a competent, dependable and flexible organist, as any pastor knows. Darrell and I have a lot of fun together,” says this minister who also has a strong music background demonstrated as he plays piano while Darrell joins in on the organ at church services.
“Darrell and I often compare notes in order to make good music. He is able to change keys, knowing what will suit the voices in the congregation.”
Margaret Christianson, who was baptized, confirmed, married and plans to be buried through Highland Church, remembers when Darrell Lilleberg first began playing for the church.
“He was so young, he could hardly reach the pedals! He’s a very talented organist. I remember one Christmas when we wanted to sing a song but he didn’t have the music. Somehow he managed to accompany us anyway.”
With Darrell, who likes to “play the music as I feel it,” and a congregation, now only numbering 72 melodious souls, all strong participants in musical liturgy, it’s a church filled with beautiful music.