Lila was born in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, just after midnight on February 26, 1931, just15 minutes after her twin brother Gehrard (Bud) who was born the previous day. Lila and Bud, together with their older brother Paul, younger sister Vylma and their mother Gunhild, spent many of Lila’s early years on their Grandfather Sollom’s farm near Birch Hills. Times were not always easy – Lila remembers her mother having to drive the horses through several feet of deep snow to get to town. One time Lila fell and broke her arm and her mother had to set the bone herself.
The family eventually moved back into Prince Albert where Lila went to school, leaving in 1948 to start working at the Victoria Hospital. She was employed at the hospital for another 44 years as a valued member of staff, gaining several awards. She recalled her working days and her colleagues with great fondness. She loved working on the children’s ward and took time to brighten their days. She never complained, but in the early years, she did not find it practical to wear a uniform with a skirt while cleaning floors.
Lila lived in the west end of Prince Albert for the last 68 years of her life, first with her mother, who she cared for until her passing in 1988, and then on her own. Lila’s house was small, but her garden was huge! She loved every aspect of gardening and was always glad to share her knowledge with the younger generation of gardeners. She especially liked tomatoes and made soups and canned tomatoes that lasted into the winter.
There was also a very creative side to Lila – she once took a sewing course by correspondence and got a mark of 100%! In addition to designing and sewing clothes, she made quilts, crocheted, baked, and enjoyed crafts of all sorts. She was pretty handy around the house with her imaginative ways of fixing, repairing, and making things work.
Lila’s house was always a favorite destination for her nieces and nephews and their children and their grandchildren. For some, it was staying with grandma and Lila during the summer holidays and having the special Norwegian dishes and the chance to hide in the big kitchen cupboard. For others, it was waiting for the church to be over so they could stop at Lila’s for cookies on the way home.
The family was dear to Lila. Every evening she spoke with her sister Vylma on the phone so they could wish each other good night. She enjoyed hearing from family members and always wanted to learn the latest news. She knew the birthdate of every niece and nephew and always remembered to write or call. She loved having visitors and anyone who visited from out of town was required to phone when they got home so that she would know that they had arrived safely.
Friends were also important. Lila learned to drive when she was 38 years old and she used her car to drive friends and family to appointments, to do shopping, or just to go visit someone. She would help friends clean, pay bills, buy groceries, or do anything else that needed doing.
Everyone who got to know Lila, even a little, described her as a very special lady. She lived a quiet but full life and was well-loved by family and friends. She will be greatly missed by all of us.
Lila is survived by her sister Vylma and her nieces and nephews: Leslie Patchin, Ruby Lacourse, Geraldine Knudsen, Tim Knudsen, Maria Stankowski (Lockhart) Larry Knudsen, Mark Knudsen (Donna), Chris Knudsen (Sharon), Robin Knudsen (Gayle), Gail Klassen (Darryl), Corrine Knudsen and Shawna Knudsen, as well as numerous grandnieces and nephews and great grandnieces and nephews. Lila was predeceased by her mother Gunhild Knudsen, her aunt Amada Pladsen, her brother Paul Knudsen and sister-in-law Valerie Knudsen, her brother Bud Knudsen, her cousin Carl Pladsen and her nephew Darrel Patchin.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Telemiracle Kinsmen Foundation – Lila never missed the annual telethon! Condolences can be sent to the family on our website at www.mackenziechapel.ca. Arrangements in care of MacKenzie Chapel & Crematorium – Shellbrook Funeral Home. Brian & Bev Stobbs, Mark Gyoerick – Matayah Loyst – Mel Curle. 306.763.8488.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Lila Glendora Knudsen Sunday October 17th 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Prince-Albert,, Province: Saskatchewan