Lucille E. Knopik

Lucille Elizabeth Knopik, age 94, of Pillager, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on February 9, 2026, in Pierz, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday February 23, 2026 at 11:00am at St. Francis Catholic Church in Brainerd, Minnesota. A visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will take place in the spring of 2026 at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Harding, Minnesota.

Lucille was born on February 20, 1931, in Little Falls, Minnesota, to Leo and Rose (Kowalzek) Ebertowski. She attended public school in Platte Township and completed her high school education in Little Falls. Lucille went on to graduate from St. Cloud State University with a teaching degree.

Lucille dedicated many years to education, teaching at Harding Elementary School before later serving as a substitute teacher in the Pillager School District following her retirement. Her commitment to her students and love of learning left a lasting impact on many.

On November 14, 1952, Lucille was united in marriage to Leonard Knopik at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Harding, Minnesota. Together they were blessed with two children and shared many years of devotion and family life.

Lucille enjoyed gardening, fishing, canning, casino trips, listening to polka music, and watching birds. She was a faithful member of St. Francis Catholic Church and a lifetime member of the Brainerd VFW Post #1647 Auxiliary.

She is survived by her daughter, Gwen Knopik (Reggie); her sister, Rose Marie Nelson; her brother-in-law, LeRoy Knopik; and several nieces and nephews.

Lucille was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Louis Knopik, in 1979; her siblings, Ray, Louis, and Alex Ebertowski; her nephew, Glenn Nelson; and her niece, LaJean Pawlu.

Arrangements are entrusted to Brenny Family Funeral Chapel, Baxter.