Joyce Lilla

JOYCE M. LILLA

February 28, 1918 – February 3, 2016

Wednesday, February 3, 2016, was a 'blue sky and sunshine day' for Joyce's reunion with her family in heaven. She was just 3 weeks shy of her 98th birthday when she left this earth to join her family in heaven: her parents, John and Erma Kasten; her husband and the love of her life, Ed (her 'Eddy') Lilla; son-in-law, Martin Kleinschmidt; grandson, Brian Bening; sisters, Wilma (Denny) Dennison and Virginia (Rev. Howard) Nelson; and brother, Lloyd (Phyllis) Kasten.

Survivors are her daughters, Joanne (Martin) Kleinschmidt and Kathryn Bening; granddaughters, Chris (Bill) Rickoff, Cathy (Chris) Gardner, and Caroline (Scott) Flatten; great grandchildren, Alex, John and Jenna Rickoff; Olivia, Luke and Abbey Gardner; Jacob, Emily, Ben and Nathan Flatten; nieces and nephews.

Joyce worked as an expert Cutter at the Winona Knitting Mills for 36 years. She proudly displayed the plaque given to her by co-workers thanking her for being their teacher, counselor, guide and friend.

When she retired from that career, she embarked on a second one as our Family Artist. A gifted artist, she spent the next 20-plus years using her extraordinary talent to paint more than 100 pictures. Her favorite subjects were animals and landscapes, but she did portraits as well. She was pleased by requests to buy her paintings, but preferred to freely share them with family and friends. Hobby Lobby was her favorite destination. She knew the art supply section by heart.

Her artistic talents expanded to include making photo albums a work of art. She generously shared these, creating heirlooms for her family.

She and Ed greatly enjoyed the outdoors and took their family to 'the cabin' every summer for over 20 years. Memories of boat rides with dad and grandpa, swimming in the lake, grandma's famous cookies, fireworks with grandpa and fresh fish dinners will live in our hearts forever. Thus began a legacy of family vacations.

She loved to dance. Patience was the byword when she taught Ed to polka.

Joyce brought sunshine wherever she went. Her smile lifted hearts and her kind and caring nature greeted all who met her. To those that she couldn't greet in person, she sent her sunshine by U.S. Mail.  She was an avid letter writer and kept the U.S. Postal Service busy as long as she was able.

She was devoted to her faith and family. She will be missed by all who knew her.

In lieu of flowers, her family respectfully requests considering a donation to Winona Area Hospice Services at 175 E. Wabasha St. or the Winona Area Humane Society at 1112 E. Broadway, Winona, MN.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11:30 AM, on Monday, February 8, 2016, at the Basilica of St. Stanislaus Kostka, with Visitation one hour prior to the Mass at the Basilica.  Monsignor Thomas J. Hargesheimer will officiate.

Joyce will be laid to rest in St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Memories or on-line condolences may be left for Joyce’s family at www.watkowski-mulyck.com