Lucille Pikop, 83, died Friday, February 15, 2008 at MeritCare Hospital in Fargo, ND.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 at Zion Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, MN with Pastor Henry Moyer officiating. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Thief River Falls, MN.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM with a 7:00 PM prayer service on Tuesday, February 19, 2008 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN. Visitation will also be held for one hour prior to the funeral on Wednesday at church.

Lucille Marie Knutson was born April 21, 1924 in Eagle Lake Township, Ottertail County, MN the fourth of ten children born to Louis and Mabel (Boe) Knutson. She was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls, MN and attended school in Fergus Falls. She received a Masters Degree in raising her children and a Ph.D. in motherhood.

She was united in marriage to Marvin Kenneth Pikop on June 28, 1944. The couple eloped and were married in Moorhead, MN. They made their home in Fergus Falls, MN and to this union they were blessed with seven children: Wesley, Marilyn, Barbara, Nancy, Kathy, Linda and Kelly.

In Fergus Falls, Lucille worked at the Fergus Falls State Hospital. In 1961 the family moved to Thief River Falls where she owned and operated Pikops Cafe and later on worked at Oakland Park Nursing Home, Ingas Cafe, and Carols Cafe.

The only thing that could rival the love Lucille had for her children and family was her love of BINGO, BINGO, BINGO, which she enjoyed with her son-in-law, Marvin Bannerman and granddaughter, Nancy Bannerman.

She was a member of the VFW Auxiliary and Zion Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, MN.

Survivors include six children, Ralph Wesley (Judith) Pikop of Glendale, AZ, Barbara (Daniel) Derosier of Baudette, MN, Nancy Brouse of Baudette, MN, Kathy (Butch) Krantz of Forest Lake, MN, Linda (Richard) Penning of Moorhead, MN, Kelly (Michael) Cornacchione, Jr. of Clearwater, FL; son-in-law, Marvin Bannerman of Thief River Falls, MN; 19 grandchildren, Gregory, Kenneth, Kimberly Rae, Cari, Julie, Rae Ann, Nancy, Kristy, Jody, Cindi, Tony, Athena, Christian, George, Lindsay, Kimberly Ann, Kayla Elizabeth, Sarah, Brian; 23 great-grandchildren, Amy, Kayla Jade, Kyle, Brandon, Kaitlyn Joyce, Andy, Cody, Danny, Savahanna, Kelsey, Wyatt, Madison, Berkley, Molly, Haley, Sydney, Martin, Zackary, Carter, Adisyn, Emma, Tyler, Katelyn Ann; great-great grandson, Mason WesleyMom, this is all your fault!

She is also survived by one sister, Shirlee (Clarence) Olson of Underwood, MN; brother, Gilford Butch (Linda) Knutson of Fergus Falls, MN; and a plethora of nieces, nephews and relatives.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Marvin in 1988; daughter, Marilyn Bannerman in 2002; son-in-law, Daniel Brouse in 1986; sisters, Beverly Olson, Marian Maurin; brothers, Oscar, Sidney, Warren, Richard and Robert.

SPECIAL MUSIC: Greg Dally & Paula Adamson
SELECTIONS: You Light Up My Life & My Tribute
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: Amazing Grace & The Old Rugged Cross
CASKETBEARERS-Lucilles Grandsons: Gregory Gurley, Kenneth Pikop, Tony Brouse, Christian Olson, George Olson, Brian Cornacchione