Lila Marie (Helland) Landvik

Lila Marie (Helland) Landvik passed away peacefully on June 11, 2025 at the Franciscan Health Center in Duluth, MN. Family members were with her when she drew her last breath, and her room was filled with the sound of hymns and songs of praise.

Lila was born on December 27, 1930 to Gudrun and Johan-Arndt Helland, Norwegian immigrants who settled in Viriginia, MN. The Hellands were a close-knit family, as extended family all lived in Norway with the exception of an uncle, Jarle, who immigrated to Washington state. Lila’s mother died when she was 12, leaving her with the responsibility of helping raise her three siblings. That experience instilled hard working, practical values in her which followed her throughout life.

Upon her graduation from Virginia High School in 1948, she attended the Lutheran Bible Institute before earning her nursing degree from St. Luke's Hospital in Duluth in 1951.

Lila was working as a nurse on the Red Lake Indian Reservation when she met Elden Landvik who had recently graduated from Luther Seminary and was serving his first parish in Gully, MN. The two were married on November 5, 1955. Shortly after, they accepted a call to serve as missionaries to Brazil and raised their five children there until 1967, when Elden accepted a call to serve as Pastor of Nashwauk and Bear River Lutheran Churches in Minnesota.

The consummate “pastor’s wife”, Lila worked tirelessly to attend to the needs of her church, community and world at large. She led Bible studies, made soap and blankets for Lutheran World Relief, taught Confirmation classes, hosted refugees, and frequently entertained. She enjoyed cooking and feeding people, and although her own family was large, there was always room at the table for more.

Lila is remembered for her heart of service to others, her focus on abundance and gratitude, and her steadfast Christian faith. She leaves a rich legacy of generosity and compassion for others.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Arne Helland, and her husband, Elden Ole Landvik. She is survived by her 5 children: Erik Landvik (Dawn), Kari VandenHeuvel (Steve), Kirsten Ryden (John), Evan Landvik and Lisa Landvik-Geyen (Randy), 13 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters: Gladys Helland and Audrey Kohlhase.

Her family would like to thank the staff of Franciscan Health Center who provided Lila with exceptional and compassionate care, and whose residents and staff enriched her life with meaningful friendships. Franciscan Health Center was “home” to Lila, and her last two years there were happy ones. The family is also deeply grateful for the wonderful staff at Essentia Hospice whose loving care and expertise supported Lila and her family through this end-of-life journey.

A memorial service to celebrate Lila's life and legacy will be held at Peace in Christ Lutheran Church, 5007 Maple Grove Road in Hermantown, on August 11th at 2:00pm. Refreshments to follow.

Gifts in Lila’s memory can be given to the "Resident Fund" at Franciscan Health Center or Peace in Christ Lutheran Church, her much beloved church home.