DEGENSTEIN: Lila
June 9, 1941 – March 22, 2017
Lila Caroline Degenstein (nee Strand) was born on Monday, June 9, 1941 at Watson, Saskatchewan. She was the third child born to Sigvald and Ingeborg Strand; the first born was Sloveig (who died in infancy), then Einar, Lila and Ole. She also had an older sister Hjordis, who was Sigvald’s daughter from a previous marriage. Lila took all of her schooling in Spalding, Saskatchewan, graduating grade 12 in 1959. While growing up on the farm north of Spalding, she was an active girl. She was especially interested in playing ball and participating in track and field, and she loved the animals. Lila was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church. Having taken piano lessons, she sometimes played the organ in the Dovre Lutheran Church in Spalding. After high school, she moved to Regina where she took a secretarial course at Success Business College and started working for the Saskatchewan government in the Medical Plan Department. Later she worked for Metropolitan Life Insurance in Regina. During this time she lived for five years with the Ken and Pearl Cranch family at 1054 Lindsay Street. Pearl was Lila’s cousin. Ken Degenstein lived across the street, and a romance budded. Lila married Ken at Spalding, Saskatchewan on August 22, 1964. In 1968, they were blessed with a son, Bradley. They lived in Regina until 1975, at which time they moved to Spalding. Lila enjoyed small town life, and three years later they moved to an acreage near Daphne. Due to Lila’s health issues, Lila was placed in homes near Prince Albert, first in Birch Hills, then in the Canwood area. For the last twelve years she resided with Rose Huculak south of Meath Park on a farm. Rose and Lila were a perfect fit, and she enjoyed Rose’s company and friendship. They were just like sisters. Lila is predeceased by her grandparents, who were all from Norway, Gunleik and Gunhild Flatland, and Grandparetns Strand; her parents, Ingeborg and Sigvald Strand; her infant sister, Solveig Strand; her infant stillborn son; and her brother-in-law, Launce Hawkins. She is survived by her son, Bradley (Wendy) Degenstein; her grandsons, Justin, Brandon and Tyler Degenstein; her siblings, Hjordis Hawkins, Einer Strand and Ole (Tonia) Strand; and Bradley’s father, Ken Degenstein; as well as many nieces and nephews, even to the third generation, and cousins in Canada and Norway. Lila passed away in the Victoria Hospital in Prince Albert on Wednesday, March 22, 2017; may she rest in peace. A funeral service will be held for Lila at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 29, 2017 at Five Oaks Shared Ministry Lutheran Church in Naicam, SK, Reverend Kragbe Legre officiating. Interment to follow at the Immanual Lutheran Cemetery in Naicam, SK. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care of River Park Funeral Home in Prince Albert, SK.
