Twila J. Forseide, of Prior Lake, passed away on Saturday, January 30, 2016 at the age of 69. A Mass of Christian Burial is Thursday, February 4, 2016 at 11:00 AM with visitation from 9:30 – 11:00 AM at St. Michael Catholic Church in Prior Lake. Father Tom Walker will preside. Twila will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband at Credit River Cemetery in Prior Lake. Pallbearers for Twila are Chuck Forseide, Mike Hazelton, Vince Jones, Andy Keatts, David Keatts and Lauren Peters. Memorials are preferred and will be distributed in Twila’s honor.
It was a beautiful fall day on October 22, 1946 when Eugene and Auddie (Kubiatowicz) Cooke celebrated the birth of their beautiful baby girl, Twila Jeanne. Twila grew up in Minneapolis, and loved having a sister to share everything with. Twila and Leanne were always challenging each other, playing jokes and getting into mischief together.
During high school, Twila was introduced to a nice young man named Lloyd (Jerry) Forseide. There was an instant connection and their love grew quickly. Shortly after high school, Twila married the love of her life. Lloyd and Twila exchanged wedding vows on September 5, 1964.
Then on Twila’s 19th birthday, she received the best present ever; their daughter Shannon was born. It was almost as if Twila was born to be a mom. Shannon often said that she couldn’t have picked two better parents if she could have special ordered them from God himself. Twila was a stay-at-home mom until Shannon was in grade school. Then she began doing consulting and interior design work. Throughout the years she worked for Sears and Hirschfields.
Lloyd, Twila and Shannon did everything together, and they loved spending time together as a family. They especially enjoyed spending time at Itasca State Park in Park Rapids and in Bemidji. Twila loved being in northern Minnesota because she loved being outdoors. She loved going for hikes in the woods, being by the lake, tending to her gardens, cuddling with her two dogs, Rascal and Riley and spending time with her dear friends.
Twila also enjoyed nature from her own home. She had a beautiful yard and loved sitting on the deck overlooking the woods. When she wasn’t enjoying the outdoors she was cheering on her beloved MN Wild. Twila was an avid fan and a hockey enthusiast. Twila also had a lifelong passion for crafting. She could make almost anything, and many of her pieces were sold at specialty boutiques around the state. Twila also exhibited at local craft shows with Shannon’s help. She was most famous for her grapevine wreaths, Christmas swags and miniature Christmas trees.
She was a lifelong parishioner at St. Mike’s and was involved in many different groups and committees throughout the years. Twila especially enjoyed working on the Springfest Committee and with Families Moving Forward. She was also co-chairperson of the Fun and Active Adults Group.
Twila was a passionate and dedicated woman who was known for her giving spirit. She was always the eternal optimist, even when she was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in October. Sadly, on January 30, 2016, Twila left us much too soon. She will be deeply missed and remembered always by her loving daughter, Shannon Forseide; many nieces and nephews; other loving relatives and many wonderful friends.
One of Twila’s greatest wishes was to live long enough to see her daughter graduate from the nursing program at St. Catherine University. On December 22nd, 2015 that wish came true. She was also able to see Shannon pass her nursing licensure exam just a couple of weeks ago.
There to greet Twila in Heaven is her husband, Lloyd (Jerry) Forseide; parents, Eugene and Auddie Cooke; sister, Leanne (Richard) Parshall.
The Forseide family is served with honor, care and compassion by Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation.
