“On July 9, 2018 Conor Allen Harold Lilja, PA-C, 39, of Apple Valley, died unexpectedly in his sleep at home as a result of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.  How extremely ironic- Conor had a HUGE HEART literally and figuratively. He was loved by many and is missed beyond words. He will be cremated and services handled through Henry W. Anderson Mortuary in Apple Valley. Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 19, from 5-8 PM and a memorial service will be held on Friday, July 20, at noon, both taking place at River Hills United Methodist Church, 11100 River Hills Drive, Burnsville, MN.

Conor was born on March 7, 1979 in Minneapolis, the son of Craig and Maggie Lilja.  He married his “best thing ever” Laura Lilja (Wheeler) on October 10, 2017 in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico.  Conor graduated from Buffalo High School in 1997, and from the University of Minnesota at Morris in 2002. He went on to receive his Physician Assistant degree from Des Moines University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2004.  He worked as an orthopedic physician assistant, alongside his friend and partner Dr. Everett Hughes for 13 years at Mayo Clinic Health System – Red Wing and Cannon Falls. He was lovingly referred to as “Doctor Conor” by many.

His wife often joked with him that it must have been very rough for him to be mistaken for a surgeon on a daily basis.

Conor is preceded in death by his grandparents: Allen Lilja, Berdine Lilja, and Harold Draxten and father-in-law Dr. Carl Schwartz.  He is survived by his wife; parents; mother-in-law, Carolyn Wheeler; grandmother, Coral Draxten; sister and brother-in-law, Jessica and Justin Olson; nephew, Gus and niece, Heidi; aunts, uncles, cousins, many friends, and his two beloved dogs named Moose & Manny. The world has lost one of its best.

Here a few suggestions to honor our Conor: rescue a spider, fix your wife eggs every morning, fly to Las Vegas, have a protein shake, join LA Fitness, be kind to someone who you don’t agree with, give bear hugs, tip generously, get a Costco membership, laugh and live life to the fullest. These things, among many others, were typical Conor-isms.

In lieu of flowers, we wish to send donations to a few Conor-related organizations: Homeward Bound Dog Rescue, UNHCR-the UN Refugee Agency & American Heart Association.

“We love you, Conor.”