Hilda Anna Pownell

POWNELL, Hilda A.
Kalamazoo, Michigan Went to be with her Lord and Savior on August 7, 2008 at her residence. Hilda was born December 14, 1926 in Minneapolis, MN, the daughter of Emil and Clara Bekkerus Erlandson and lived her early years in Minnesota. She moved with her parents to North Dakota where she attended school in Grafton. She later worked in a machine shop at the University of ND, where she met her future husband Gilbert. She also worked as a nurse's aide at Trinity Hospital in Minot, ND. Over the years, she lived in several towns in North Dakota and Montana until coming to Kalamazoo in 1983. Hilda enjoyed reading and especially knitting. She knitted afghans for all of her grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Gilbert in 1994, by a daughter Judith Koffler in 1967, a grandson Joel Kuder in 1984, a son-in-law G. Michael Kuder in 1986 and a sister Esther Sanders. Surviving are a son and 2 daughters, Alan Pownell of Wichita, KS, Debra Eric Haupt of Round Lake Beach, IL and Joy Royal Vining of Kalamazoo; 15 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; a sister Agnes Richard Heuchert of St. Thomas, ND and 2 brothers, Kenneth Patricia Erlandson of Mandan, ND and Gerald Dey of Lacey, WA; several nieces and nephews. Private family committal services will be held at Mt. Ever-Rest Cemetery followed by a memorial service at 2 o'clock on Wednesday, August 13 at Third Reformed Church, 2345 N. 10th St. with Pastor Jeff Porte officiating. Friends may meet the family on Tuesday from 2-4 & 6-8 pm at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick St. 343-1508 The family suggests that memorial contributions in Hilda's memory be made to Wycliffe Bible Translators Sharilyn Carmichael.