By Becky Franklin, Managing Director, Weavers Guild of MN
May 27, 2015

We received the sad news Tuesday morning that our friend Lila Nelson passed away. Lila influenced many with her passion and knowledge of Scandinavian textiles and tapestry. For nearly three decades, Lila was the Registrar and Curator of Textiles at the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum in Decorah, Iowa. She frequently taught classes, and for a number of years, led the Guild’s Scandinavian Weavers Study Group. Lila was a member of the Weavers Guild since 1962. You can see her work in the Textile Center Pat O’Connor Library Gallery in the Scandinavian Weavers Study Group show Through the Years. Lila attended the book launch of A Thread Through Time a couple of weeks ago and connected with many members, some of whom had not seen her since the Guild celebrated Lila’s 90th birthday in 2012. Lila was particularly impressed by the festive occasion and said “I don’t remember a time when the Guild felt so positive.” She is an inspiration, and she will certainly be missed.

The Weavers Guild and Lila’s friends held a potluck celebration in her honor, in the evening of June 25, 2015, at the Textile Center.

The Norwegian Textile Newsletter dedicated its pages to Lila for her 90th birthday. Read it here…

Star Tribune Obituary