Obituary of Lila Evelyn Blackmer

Lila Evelyn Blackmer, 90, of Effie Minn., passed away on Aug. 17, 2016, at Bigfork Valley Hospital, in Bigfork Minn. She had struggled for several years with complications of congestive heart failure and had been hospitalized for care a few weeks prior to her death. Lila was born on Sept. 12, 1925 to Oscar and Thea Jensen (Krogstad) in their home at North Busties near Effie Minn. She attended a one-room school through eighth grade, walking the two miles to school each day, with the teacher receiving room and board at the Jensen farm. She graduated from Bigfork High School. She traveled, working as a bookkeeper and file clerk for Mandel Brother's Department Store in Chicago, Ill., where riding the EL to work was a dramatic contrast to the horse drawn sleigh she had ridden to town during frigid Minnesota winters as a youngster. She was also a clerk at See's Candy in Pasadena, Calif. Returning to Minnesota, Lila married Lawrence Blackmer on the Jensen homestead on June 11, 1949. She became an assistant pulpwood semi-truck driver. Lila was a phenomenal cook, baker, quilt-maker and gardener. She was an owner and operator for many years of the Bee & Jay Caf on the Deer Lake Road where she became widely known for her fresh homemade pies baked and served each morning. She also cooked for the Bigfork Hospital. Through the diligent care of family she was able to enjoy her garden, wildlife and the peaceful views over Pickerel Lake right up to the end of life. She was preceded in death by her parents; and her sister, Irene Johnson. She is survived by her husband, Lawrence Blackmer; her sister, Bernice Burman; her brothers, Alvin Jensen and Vernon Jensen; her children, Bruce Blackmer (Candy), Debra Blackmer and Larry Blackmer; her grandchildren, Trevor Blackmer, Aaron Blackmer (Rachelle), Cameron Tino and Dominic Tino; her great-grandchildren, Peter Blackmer and Annabelle Blackmer; and many extended family and friends. MEMORIAL SERVICE: 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26, 2016 in the Carpenter Town Hall, 18286 MN-1, Togo, MN 55723. Condolences may be sent to the family at 66603 North Pickerel Road, Effie, MN 56639.