Darla Mary Knutsvik
Darla Mary Knutsvik, 1968 - 2022
Darla Mary Knutsvik (Styles) beloved mother, grandmother, daughter, sister and friend was born on July 1, 1968, to proud parents, Cliff and Leona Styles in Oyen, AB. She was the youngest of 4 siblings. She passed away surrounded by family on April 4, 2022 in Medicine Hat, AB at the age of 53 years.
Darla grew up in Sibbald, AB and took all her schooling in Oyen, AB. She was a self-proclaimed “Daddy’s Little Girl” but spoiled and loved by anyone and everyone that knew her. She was an active child that just wanted to keep up with her older siblings. Darla had open heart surgery in June of 1978 (age 10) at the Holy Cross Hospital in Calgary, AB. She was a fighter, and it didn’t keep her down long as she went on to win a 5km run shortly after leaving the hospital. This was one of her proudest accomplishments.
In 1982 she moved to Brooks, AB and lived with her sister, Sheri Styles. She worked as a waitress at the Starlight Restaurant and began to build her life there.
Her stunning beauty and elegance earned her a spot in La Casablanca Modelling School in Calgary, AB in 1985. She always wanted to look her best and had a knack for cosmetology which helped her to excel in the program. She graduated the following year.
Shortly thereafter, she met her first husband, Monty Becker and they were married in February of 1987. They welcomed their daughter, Korri later that year and son, Ryley in 1991. Darla loved and took so much pride in her career as a mother and was extremely family oriented. She spent every moment she could with her children, many nieces/nephews, siblings, parents, or friends that became family. Anyone that knew her could attest that she was a great cook; guests were always welcome and treated to the finest meals. You would never leave on an empty stomach. She struggled with several health issues throughout her life but always did her best to not let it show.
Life took a change and her marriage to Monty ended. She met her second husband, Jason Knutsvik in 2000. After 15 short years, they were finally married in 2015. Darla welcomed his children, Tyler and Miranda with open arms. She truly loved them as her own and together they made many wonderful and cherished memories as a perfectly blended family of 6.
She had various careers over the years when her health allowed but most notably the Newbrook Lodge where she was loved by staff and residents alike for her kind and nurturing nature. She then went on to the Lakeview Inn and Suites where her determination helped her work her way up to Manager.
Darla had 5 beautiful grandchildren who were the centre of her world and loved her dearly. She spent every moment she could either being with them or bragging about them. Her passing has left a hole in their hearts that will never be filled. They truly were and always will be the loves of her life.
Darla was predeceased by infant baby sister, Janice Marie Styles (1965), twin nieces Jaime Lee and Janelle Rhea Elsasser (1984), father Cliff Styles (2001), paternal grandparents Wes and Mary Styles and maternal grandparents Charlie and Esther Gillespie.
Darla leaves to cherish her memory husband Jason, daughter Korri (Nelson) Timko, son Ryley Becker, stepson Tyler (Ashley) Knutsvik, stepdaughter Miranda Knutsvik, her grandchildren; Kyler, Payton, Conner, Paxton and Kamryn, mother Leona Styles, brother Darwin (Roxanne) Styles, sisters; Shannon (Mike) Rutherford, Sheri Elsasser, numerous family, friends and her beloved “Fur Baby” Zoey.
Memorial tributes may be directed to The Heart And Stroke Foundation 100-119 14 St. NW Calgary, AB T2N 1Z6, or to a Charity Of Donor’s Choice.
Funeral Service took place on Monday April 11, 2022 in Sibbald, AB
Funeral arrangements in the care of MacLean’s Funeral Home in Oyen, AB ofsmacleans.com.