Celia Defries

Celia “Sally” Defries, age 84, of Litchfield, MN died on Friday March 30, 2018 at the Meeker Manor in Litchfield, MN. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, April 4, 2017 at the First Lutheran Church in Litchfield, MN. A visitation will be held from 4:00 - 7:00 PM on Tuesday at First Lutheran Church. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at church on Wednesday. Interment will be held at Ripley Cemetery, Litchfield, MN. Celia “Sally” Defries, the daughter of Theodoro and Sophia (Sanchez) Santos, was born on February 18, 1934 in Tuxpan, Mexico. She was united in marriage to Lilliard Nething in Texas on February 11, 1957. They moved from Texas to Wisconsin to Montana where work was available. They were blessed with two children in this union. Eventually they settled in Litchfield, MN. Lilliard's health failed due to cancer he passed away in the fall of 1964. Sally was a working mother of two small children when she was united in marriage to Ernest Defries on February 11, 1967 at Beckville Lutheran Church. This union blessed them with a third child. She worked at Jennie-O in Litchfield for 25 years until it closed. She then became a nursing assistant, working at the Emmanuel Home and Red Castle, both in Litchfield. She was a member of Beckville Lutheran Church and later First Lutheran Church. She enjoyed gardening, cooking, and taking care of people. Sally was a hard worker who did not complain and had a giving personality. Her homemade tacos and fried chicken were delicious, and were served at many family occasions over the years. She is survived by her children Sophie (Steve) Miller of Orlando, FL, Edward (Tracy) Nething of Darwin, MN and Ernie (Jackie) Defries of Litchfield, MN; grandchildren Jeremy (Lauri) Miller, Jared (Julia) Miller, Jordan (Pari) Miller, Anna (David) Nething, Nick (Alanya) Sandry, Carissa Defries, Riley Defries, Matthew Defries, and Emma Defries; great grandchildren Alexander, Mikkyle, Elijah, Gabriel, Ethan, Cora, Leonie, and Taylor; half-sister Alberta Castro of Mexico; stepchildren Beverly Nething, Janice Grimsgard, and Judy Hedrick; 30 step grandchildren; 76 step great grandchildren; and 83 step great great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husbands Lilliard and Ernest; parents Theodoro and Sophia; several stepchildren, brothers in-laws, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.