Obituary: Lila Genevive Niskanen

Lila Genevive Niskanen, 97, of Floodwood, passed away Monday, Nov. 11, 2019, in Villa Vista Care Center in Cromwell.

She was born June 11, 1922, in Kalevala Township to John and Mabel (Waisanen) Marsyla. She graduated from Cromwell High School in 1939. On July 5, 1940, she married Leo Niskanen in Floodwood.

Lila loved life on the farm. She enjoyed her animals, and vegetable and flower gardening. She took pride in her family and enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. Leo and Lila took in many extra kids over the years.

She worked for St. Louis County as a home care provider. She always had the coffee pot on and provided lunch for anyone coming into her home. She was a member of Hope Lutheran Church and the Town and Country Homemakers. She also volunteered wherever she could.

Lila was preceded in death by her husband, Leo; son, Leonard; grandsons, Dale Piontek and Joey Stenson; and several siblings.

She is survived by her children, Marlys (Tom) Piontek, Rodney (Adele) Niskanen, Lois Aho, and Kathleen (Phillip) Stenson; daughter-in-law, Suzy Niskanen; brother Gary (Judy) Marsyla; special friend John Polich; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

A gathering of family and friends with dinner will be held 1-3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15 in the Villa Vista Care Center, 1220 Villa Court Drive, Cromwell. A time of sharing will be at 1:30 p.m. Inurnment will be in Hope Lutheran Cemetery in the spring.

Arrangements entrusted to Atkins Northland Funeral Home, Cloquet. To sign the guest book and offer an online tribute, see http://www.atkinsnorthlandfuneralhome.com

Printed in the Pine Knot News, Nov. 15, 2019.