Lyla Christianson, age 92, of Fertile, MN, died on Thursday, July 4, 2019 at Fair Meadow Nursing Home in Fertile, surrounded by her loving family and under the care of Hospice.

Lyla Evelyn, the daughter of William and Alma (Ystenes) Leines, was born on February 17, 1927 at home near Bejou, MN.  Lyla was baptized on April 24, 1927 at Faaberg Lutheran Church and was confirmed there on May 31, 1942.  She grew up and attended country school, later graduating from Fertile High School in 1945.  Lyla then continued her education with Normal Teachers Training in East Grand Forks, MN and, as a young woman, she taught in one room schoolhouses near Fisher, Shelly and Bear Park.   On April 16, 1949, Lyla was united in marriage to Stanley Christianson and the couple made their home on a farmstead southeast of Fertile and were blessed with nine children.  She proudly raised her children, tended to the chores in the home, and always had wonderful meals to serve her family.  Lyla also worked at the Top Notch Steakhouse in Fertile, the American Legion in Twin Valley and was employed with Bergeson Nursery for almost 35 years.  In 1983, they moved into Twin Valley to make their home.  Following Stanley's death in 2004, Lyla continued to live in Twin Valley until 2013 at which time she moved into the Fair Meadow Assisted Living.  She relocated to the Fair Meadow Nursing Home in 2017 and with her family by her side, Lyla continued to share her wonderful smile, her positive attitude and gentle grace.

Lyla's hands were never idle. She loved to bake and was known for her lefse and sweet treats. She really enjoyed starting the Christmas baking tradition.  She was gifted with a green thumb and loved to "play" in the dirt. Her yard, gardens and flowers were a beautiful treasure shared with the neighborhood.  Lyla also liked to embroider, read, take photos, watch the MN Twins, and play Skip-BO.  Every year, she looked forward to the Fertile Fair where she would visit with friends and relatives and share a piece of pie.  Above all, Lyla loved to spend time with her family.

Lyla is survived by two daughters, Cindy (Calvin) Vatthauer of Seymour, IN, and Stacy (David) Arends of Perley, MN; five sons: Spencer (Lisa) of Mentor, MN, Lynn (Mary) of Twin Valley, Leroy of Fertile, Jan (Lisa) of Fertile, and Jon (Lindi) of Fertile; three sisters: Priscilla (Arvid) Monson of Fertile, Angela (Arden) Svenby of Detroit Lakes, MN, and Patricia Skatvold of Moorhead, MN; one brother, Ordell (Sonja) of Chanhassen, MN; two sisters-in-law, Jackie Leines of Bagley and Pauline Leines of Bejou; one brother-in-law, Jerome "Butch" (Michell) Olson of Fertile; seventeen grandchildren, and ten great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Stanley; her daughter, Beverly; infant daughter, Josephine; a son-in-law, Michael; three grandsons: Tobias, Chase and Cody; two brothers, Wallace and LeRoy; and her sister, Marlene.