Lyla Marie Krenik, wife of the late James W. Krenik, of rural Madison Lake, died on Sunday, September 26th, at Good Samaritan Care Community in St. Peter.
Lyla was born October 22, 1927 in Newcastle, Nebraska to Melvin & Winifred (Bird) Reid. During the dust-bowl years of the 1930's the family moved north to Minnesota, seeking viable farmland in the Mankato area, settling for a time in Cleveland, where Lyla completed high school. Her family then moved on to Vernon Center where they established a successful farm. Lyla remained in the Cleveland area, working in the offices at Green Giant before marrying Jim Krenik in September 1946. They made their home on Jim's father's farm on Lake Jefferson, where they raised their children " Carol (John) English, Deborah (Jim) Johnson, Steven (Jane) Krenik, Rebecca Krenik, Diane (Bill) Jordan, Gail (Riley) Williams, Mark (Betty) Krenik, and Nathan (Patricia) Krenik. At retirement Lyla and Jim built a lakeside home near the farm and lived there until his death in 2006. Lyla struggled with dementia the last five years of her life, and since 2007 she was lovingly cared for in the home of her son Mark and his family.
Lyla relished her roles as wife, mother, grandmother, and her example inspired her children and those that knew her. Lyla was a fine cook, needlewoman, gardener and painter, mastering the Norwegian folk-art of rosemalling in her later years. She was a member of LeCenter United Methodist Church, serving many years as an officer in the United Methodist Women, a 4-H Leader, and participated in PTA and in the leadership of her Home Extension Group, generously sharing her talents with an easy expertise.
She is survived by her eight children, 23 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by a sister and brother: Thelma Pahl and Earl Reid. In addition to her husband Jim, Lyla was preceded in death by an infant son, James Andrew, her parents, and a brother, John Reid.
Visitation will be held at the Church of Christ in Cleveland, 5-8 pm on Thursday, September 30th, with funeral service there the following morning, October 1st, at 11 am. Interment will follow at Greenwood Union Cemetery near Le Center. St. Peter Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Memorials may be given to ISJ Hospice, to support their mission of bringing care and comfort to area families.