Obituary of Lila MARTINSON

Lila Ingeborg Martinson of Assiniboia, SK, passed away on Sunday, September 8, 2013, at the age of 90 years. Lila was born on October 21, 1922 on her father’s homestead two miles west and two miles north of Assiniboia. Lila was the second child born Emil and Ingeborg Dahlman. She began school in a little white building that used to the be the Baptist Church in the vicinity of the Elks Hall. She then attended Jackson School before completing her schooling in Assiniboia. Lila was very much a career woman and following a commercial course she gained experience at the RM Lake of the Rivers #72 until an opening at the air base east of Congress was available. She was also put in charge of the post office and later hired as a secretary treasurer at the RM Office #72. Lila was also secretary treasurer for the hospital from 1948-1949. Lila married Magny Martinson on June 17, 1949 at Grand Valley Lutheran Church; this was a double wedding with Magny’s sister Josephine who married Thelmer Askeland. Lila and Magny lived on the Martinson family farm, along with Magny’s brother Rueben and family. They were blessed with one daughter, Trudy, who married Reginald Ruzicka from Limerick. Tragically, on October 10, 1964, Magny was killed in a shooting accident on Thanksgiving weekend. Lila and Trudy then moved to Assiniboia and Lila was employed at the Assiniboia Town Office and later Ross Funeral Home. She was also the secretary at Messiah Lutheran Church, where she was a charter member. Her involvement in the church included ELW (LCW), Sunday school superintendent, singing alto in the choir, leading bible studies and organizing various programs. Lila felt it was very important to welcome people to the church with a good morning greeting. Lila enjoyed painting, writing poems, playing guitar and singing. Lila had many wonderful interests in her life, and photography gave her so much joy. She loved to share her slides and pictures with people, and gave many presentations at the Pioneer Lodge. She enjoyed planning programs and keeping correct facts, and correct spelling and language was very important to her. Lila was very interested in family trees and history. In her later years Lila volunteered at the Assiniboia Museum, where she enjoyed meeting up with old school friends and anyone who would stop by looking for information. Lila’s greatest passion of all was her family and friends, especially her grandchildren. She was great to keep connections with people in her life and was a natural at making people feel special. Lila will be dearly missed by her family and friends. Lila is predeceased by her husband Magny Martinson; parents Emil and Ingeborg Dahlman; sister Audrey (Royal) Borgerson; father-in-law and mother-in-law John and Christine Martinson; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Rueben and Annette, Thelmer and Josie, Marlin. She is survived by her daughter Trudy (Reg) Ruzicka; grandchildren Troy (Robyn), Tracey; great granddaughters Brooklynn and McKenna; brother Arthur (Helma); sister Doreen (Art) Drewitz; brother Larry (Norma) Dahlman; sister-in-law Velma Martinson; nieces and nephews; special Wanda Ewart. A Prayer Service was held on Wednesday, September 11, 2013, at 7:30 p.m. at Piche-Hawkins-Grondin Funeral Chapel, Assiniboia, SK and Funeral Service on Wednesday, September 12, 2013, at 2:00 p.m., at the Messiah Lutheran Church, Assiniboia, SK, with Pastor Arden Barden officiant. Music was shared by Judy Chubb and Lois Seeley. Memorial table attendants were Doreen Adamack and Rose Bumbac. Ushers were Richard Silzer and Walter Weiss. The eulogy was shared by Dallas Loken. Active pallbearers were Mylo Chubb, Orlo Drewitz, Daniel Glaeske, Claire Liefso, John Martinson and Jaret Ruzicka. Interment took place at Mount Hope Cemetery, Assiniboia, SK. Memorial donations in memory of Lila to the Messiah Lutheran Church, Box 536, Assiniboia, SK S0H 0B0, were greatly appreciated.