Ellen "Lucile" Edwards

Ellen Lucile Edwards was born on March 11, 1928, in Ann Township, MN to Theodore and Lillie (Knudson) Knutson. She had 3 brothers and 2 sisters and they grew up on the farm in Cottonwood County, south of Revere, MN. Lucile was baptized at Old Westbrook Lutheran Church and attended District 38 Country School. As a child and while growing up, she did a lot of bicycle riding on country roads and horseback riding on horse, Rowdy. She graduated from Lamberton High School and attended Augsburg College for only one year due to the passing of her mother.

From 1947-1951, Lucile worked during the week as a secretary in Brookings, SD, and then worked at Mankato State College where she rode the bus back and forth on the weekends. On the weekends and the summer months, she helped her Dad with housework, haying, and harvesting. On August 24, 1951, Lucile was married to Byron “Mike” Edwards at Old Westbrook Lutheran Church. To this union, four children were born, Kim, Kay, Perry, and Michele.

The family traveled a lot during the years when Mike was Pastor. They moved to 4 different Parishes in North Dakota and South Dakota, and the family spent 6 years living in Papua New Guinea as missionaries. She was active and volunteered at Calvary Lutheran Church for many years. Faith and family was very important to Lucile.

Lucile played piano and organ for many years at their residences and in church. She enjoyed quilting and rosemaling; she even taught a Community Education class on rosemaling once or twice. Lucile was an amazing cook and baker and was known for her Norwegian sweets. She was quiet, caring, loving, faithful and a good mother.

Ellen Lucile Edwards died on Monday, July 25, 2022, at Alomere Health at the age of 94. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, August 14, 2022, at 2:00 PM at Nelson Gables in Alexandria, MN with a lunch and visitation one hour prior to the service. She is survived by her husband, Byron; children, Kim (Mavis) Edwards, Kay (Wayne) Horntvedt, Perry (Kimberly) Edwards, and Michele (Rita Jesse) Edwards; grandchildren, Kelly (Josh) Mau, Andrea (Brian) Kalis, Marissa (John) Wickham, and Jessica (Justin) Ahmann; and 11 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents; and siblings, Everett, Marvin, Kenneth, Harriet, and Dagmar.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, August 14, 2022, at 2:00 PM at Nelson Gables Governor’s Room with visitation and lunch one hour prior to the service.