Ila Weis

Ila Weis, age 90, of Bird Island, MN passed away on Tuesday, February 27, 2024 at the Buffalo Lake Healthcare Center. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Monday, March 4, at 1:15 p.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Bird Island with Rev. Joe Steinbeisser as celebrant. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be on Sunday, March 3 from 3 to 6 p.m. at Dirks-Blem Funeral Home in Olivia and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday.

Ila Mae Weis was born on May 14, 1933 to Harry and Harriet (Lambertson) Carlson in Pocahontas, Iowa. Her family moved to Hector, Minnesota where she graduated from high school in 1951. Ila was united in marriage to Roger Weis on July 25, 1953 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Bird Island. They made their home in Bird Island where they raised their five children. Together Ila and Roger owned and operated Bird Island Lanes for many years and in 1981 they established Weis Oil Company. Ila was a bookkeeper for the oil company and worked outside the home at the Red Owl Store. Being a Minnesota Sports fanatic, Ila understood the importance of staying true to her teams even when they weren’t always winning. With her love of her grandchildren and sports, she rarely missed one of their events. She kept busy by putting together puzzles, playing cards, and being creative while quilting, sewing, and doing cross stitch. Her massive collection of Precious Moments figurines was one of her most cherished belongings. Owning the bowling alley had its perks as Ila worked on her bowling skills and competed in many national bowling tournaments. She also enjoyed golfing, especially in the Weis Open Golf Tournament that took place for over 20 years. Being part of her community and church, she was an active member of the Bird Island Lion’s Club and St. Mary’s Catholic Church, serving on many boards and committees. Her cooking and baking skills were superb; she measured with her heart and her famous potato salad and caramel rolls were always better when she made them. She had an immeasurable love for her family and appreciated all of the time spent with them.

Ila is survived by her children: Wayne (Connie) Weis of Stoughton, WI, Theresa Weis of Hutchinson, MN, Debbie Weis of Bird Island, MN, Jeff (Karen) Weis of Bird Island, MN, and Curt (Jody) Weis of Bird Island, MN; her ten grandchildren: Ben (Jami) Weis, Adam (Chquota) Weis, Josh Weis, Kaitlyn Weis, Sheila (Chris) Feldman, Jenna (Carl) Skoglund, Sara (Josh) Zupfer, Ethan Weis, Peyton (Austin) Boen, and Brenna Weis; her 11 great-grandchildren: Ashli (Jordan) Volk, Jordan (Quinn) Jevens, Asia Weis, Griffin & Cambelle Feldman, Landon, Lucy, & Jackson Skoglund, Waylon & Lainey Zupfer, and Aeko Norem; her four great-great-grandchildren: Theo & Hiro Volk and Jaelynn & Emmett Jevens; and her siblings: Darwin Carlson, Carol Dill, and Darlene Gentry. Ila was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Roger; brothers:  Arvid Carlson, Dale Carlson, Glen Carlson, Vern Carlson, and Bill Carlson; and sisters: Doris Komarec, Dorothy Ryden, and Delpha Carlson.

Blessed Be Her Memory