Lilla Estenson

Memorial services for Lilla Estenson of Morris, formerly of Cyrus, MN, will be held Saturday, May 21, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cyrus, MN, with Reverend Chris Richards officiating.  Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church. Burial will be at Cyrus South Cemetery, Cyrus, MN.

Lilla Margaret Alfson, daughter of Selmer and Alma (Anderson) Alfson, was born February 22, 1913, at her home in Framnas Township near Cyrus, Minnesota.  She was baptized and confirmed at St. Petri Lutheran Church.  Lilla grew up and attended school in Cyrus, graduating with the class of 1931.  She was united in marriage to Martin Estenson July 28, 1934.  Following their marriage, the couple lived on a farm, where they raised their family of five.  When Martin retired from farming, they moved into Cyrus.  Lilla worked as a nursing assistant for many years and helped many families through difficult times.  Martin passed away November 18, 2001.  Lilla continued to live in Cyrus until the age of 98 when she moved to Morris, where she continued to live until the time of her death.

Lilla loved to sew, making small quilts for babies, and donating them to third world countries.  She enjoyed scrapbooking, gardening, canning, playing games and cards, and crocheting.  She also loved teaching her grandkids, writing, making Norwegian goodies including lefse, krumkake, and rommegrot. She took many walks along Lake Emily looking for special rocks and arrowheads to share with her family. She had great faith and it was to trust in God’s love for us by living what we know to be true. The angels have taken her home and I know she is happy to be there. She will be missed by all of her family.

Lilla passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 16, 2022, at West Wind Village in Morris.  She was 109 years old.

She is survived by four children: Marlys Kannegiesser of Chula Vista, CA; Monroe (Cheryl) Estenson, Scott (Diane) Estenson and Mark (Angela) Estenson all of Morris; 11 grandchildren: Jeff (Karen) Kannegiesser, Debbie Kannegiesser, Randy Kannegiesser, Lance Kannegiesser, Greg Estenson, Jennifer (James) Schemmel, Alan (Jennifer) Estenson, Brenda Estenson, Tanya (Matt Rinkenberger) Estenson, Tammi (Bob) Kramer, Hannah (Jason) Umlauf; 12 great-grandchildren: Alexandra Estenson, Heaven Kannegiesser, Savanna Wrobleski, Paden Rinkenberger, Abbey (Dominic Voit) Kramer, Andrew Kramer, Jeffrey (Analysa Hang) Schemmel, Joshua (Carley) Schemmel, Jacob Schemmel (Indigo Sci Larsen), Joey Kannegiesser and Heather Kannegiesser; three great-great-grandchildren: Brinnley, Breccan and Keegan Schemmel; two brothers: Gordon Alfson of Morris and James (Shirley) Alfson of Ham Lake; one sister: Jean Anderson of Morris; sister-in-law: Marjorie Alfson of Cyrus; brother-in-law: Charles Bright of Alexandria and many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Martin Estenson; her parents; son: Theodore “Ted” Estenson; son-in-law: Lyle Kannegiesser; great-granddaughter: Taryn Paul; brother: Orrin Alfson and several brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law and several extended family members and friends.

Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements for Lilla.