Leila Davies, 97, died on Sunday, September 18, 2005 at the CNC unit of the Northwest Medical Center in Thief River Falls, MN.

Funeral service will be held on Thursday, September 22, 2005 " 11:00 AM at the Evangelical Free Church, Thief River Falls, MN with Pastor Roger Davies and Pastor Jim Howard, officiating. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery, Thief River Falls, MN.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 5:00 until 8:00 PM with a prayer service held at 7:00 PM at Johnson Funeral Service, Thief River Falls, MN and on Thursday one hour prior to the service at the church.

Leila Hanseen Elliott was born near Island Lake, Minnesota on April 21, 1908 the daughter of Burd and Caroline (Knutson) Elliott. She lived with her family in Island Lake, where she received her 8th grade diploma although she was only in the 6th grade. At the age of 12 she moved with her family to Shevlin, MN until the age of 16. She moved to Bemidji, MN, where she worked for the Russell family until she was 18. At that time she and her father moved to Wolford, ND, where she cooked for him and worked as a housekeeper for the Halversons and in cook cars. After several months, the other family members, Mother, Louis and Lottie, joined them.

Leila met Clyde Davies at her dads blacksmith shop and on January 17, 1929 they were united in marriage. The couple moved to several locations before settling on a farm near Gully, MN. They lived there for 7 to 8 years and moved to Olga, MN where Clyde had a blacksmith shop. After 3 years they moved to Forest River, ND, where he also had a blacksmith shop. In 1944 they moved to Thief River Falls. Clyde passed away on January 23, 1986. Leila continued to reside in Thief River Falls. The last 10 years, she was a resident at the Convalescent and Nursing Care Unit.

She is survived by her children, Roger (Betty) Davies, Albert Lea, MN, Nona (Charles) Erickson, Alexandria, MN, NoraReta (Paul) Starkey, Deltona, Fl., Keith (Judy) Davies, Bagley, MN, Lance (Susie) Davies, Houston, TX., Birdell (Dody) Davies, Neena, WI; grandchildren Tim Erickson, Steve Erickson, Mary Lundberg, Marsha Lofgren, Jody Krogstad, Jeremy Davies, Jeff Starkey, Jason Starkey, David Davies, Dan Davies, Dale Davies, Maxwell Davies, Shelli Markee, Amy Cowart, along with 41 great grandchildren.

Leila was preceded in death by her spouse Clyde; her parents; brother Louis Elliott and sister Lottie Bjornlie and grandson John Davies.

SPECIAL MUSIC: Leilas Family
SELECTIONS: Home Sweet Home and He the Pearly Gates Will Open
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: How Great Thou Art and This World Is Not My Home
CASKETBEARERS: Tim Erickson, Steve Erickson, Mary Lundberg, Marsha Lofgren, Jody Krogstad, Jeremy Davies, Jeff Starkey, Jason Starkey, David Davies, Dan Davies, Dale Davies, Maxwell Davies, Shelli Markee and Amy Cowart.