Twyla Elaine Gillies

Twyla Elaine Gillies, age 91, of Minnetonka passed away peacefully on November 24, 2025. Those who knew and loved Twyla describe her as a sweet, positive, kind and thoughtful person, yet that doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of this gentle, beautiful soul. Twyla was born on February 5, 1934 in Kansas City, MO to C.W. Bernhard "Ben" and Ethel M. Bloomquist. Three years later, the young family moved to Chicago, IL where Twyla thrived and little brother Ronald was born. After graduating early from Calumet High School on the National Honor Society, she attended Moser Business School and was hired as a secretary at Armour & Company. Upon her father Ben's early death, Ethel, Twyla and Ron relocated to Willmar, MN to be closer to their extended family. She landed a job as secretary at Erickson Furniture and competed in Willmar's Kaffe Fest, a Scandinavian celebration, on her employer's behalf. That made sense since Twyla was always ultraproud of her 100% Swedish heritage. The small family soon moved to larger Minneapolis. Twyla joined the Minneapolis office of Campbell-Mithun Advertising in the Creative, Radio, TV department. Once again, the lure of the big city drew Twyla to C-M's New York office where she was the Radio TV Production Assistant on the Perry Como Show back when live commercials and sponsorships were a normal part of TV programs. In 1961, Twyla returned to C-M's Minneapolis office where she caught the eye of a handsome co-worker, Don Gillies. Long story short, Twyla and Don shared 61 years of marriage, raised three children and ultimately four Westies. Twyla devoted her life after her advertising career to her family, but bristled when someone referred to her as a "housewife". She would correct them that she was a "homemaker". Twyla and Don first settled in New Hope, MN before moving to their forever home of over 50 years in Minnetonka, MN. They also enjoyed spending time in a handful of diverse vacation homes ranging from the mountains of Breckenridge, CO, the coastline of Hilton Head Island, SC, or Twyla's old stomping grounds of Manhattan. Twyla was a maestro at coordinating and shuttling her kids to their seemingly infinite sports practices, music lessons and social activities. Her walls were filled with dozens of her own oil paintings. Her green thumb was evident in the many, many houseplants that brightened her home. And she loved a good mystery, whether it was in the form of a paperback novel or a PBS series. Twyla is proceeded in death by her parents, her husband, Donald and her brother, Ronald Bloomquist. She leaves behind her grateful children Dawn (Brian) Reid, Trent (Lisa) Gillies and Tara (Brian) Erickson; grandchildren, Lola and Leo Erickson and Ava Gillies, and her Westie, D'Arcy. Special thanks to the caregivers of Park Nicollet Home Care, Aurora on France, AccentCare Hospice and Synergy HomeCare. A memorial service will be held at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church, 5025 Knox Ave S, Minneapolis, MN on Monday, December 8, 2025 at 12:00 pm with visitation 1 hour prior. Donations are preferred to Twyla's beloved Mount Olivet (https://onrealm.org/mtolivet). www.Washburn-McReavy.com Edina Chapel 952-920-3996

Tributes

Twyla Elaine Gillies

February 5, 1934 - November 24, 2025

Tributes

Twyla Elaine Gillies

February 5, 1934 - November 24, 2025

We are here for you 24x7

Call us and get help now

(612) 377-2203