Lillian R. Knafla

Lillian Rebecka Knafla (Lundquist). age 104, passed away on December 25, 2024. Lillian was born to Swedish immigrants, Richard and Ruby (Fridlund) Lundquist in Minneapolis, MN. Graduating from Centeral High School, she attended business school and joined the Pillsbury Company where she met Loran Knafla. After Loran served in WWII, they married and purchased land in Bloomington. They lived on that block in different houses for more than 70 years. Lillian was a homemaker, raising 5 children. She enjoyed gardening and her yard was always filled with beautiful flowers. The family was active at Oak Grove Lutheran Church where her only brother, Dana, was choir director until he moved to Hawaii. She sang in the choir into her 90's, was flower lady for years, and enjoyed Bible Study and church every Sunday. In the 60's, a purchased lake cabin became the family hub every summer. Nothing made her happier than being at the lake with family and friends. She welcomed everyone. When Loran became ill, she took driving lessons and got a job. In her 80's she joined the Minneapolis Hiking Club, walked with neighbors, visited the Senior Center, played cards and drove all the "old people around. ( they were younger than her). She could strike up a conversation with anyone, sent birthday cards to all and enjoyed traveling to visit family in FL, CO
, and Hawaii up to age 97. She also traveled with her brother, Dana, to Sweden, Russia and Jerusalem as well as many trips with family. She stopped driving at 94 and continued living at home until after her 103rd birthday. Lillian loved God, church, family and friends and her beautiful smile will be missed by many.
She will be missed by her daughters, Susan Kleve, Karen Lorenson (Dick), Rebecca Jones (Dave), Rene Savage; daughter-in-law Lynn Knafla and their families including 13 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by husband, Loran; son, Richard; brother, Dana; grandsons, Michael Kleve, Allan Knafla, and sons-in-law, Larry Kleve and Greg Savage.