Beth's service will be livestreamed on the Hill City United Methodist
Church Facebook page at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, March 8, 2022.
Bethel Alice Jilka, 94, died March 2, 2022, in Hill City,
Kansas. She was born August 21, 1927, in Minneapolis, Kansas to Lawrence
and Bessie (Kresge) Sams. Beth, as she was known to all that knew her,
grew up on the family farm with her four sisters and four brothers. She
graduated from Salina High School in 1945 and attended Kansas Wesleyan
University and one year was the school’s Homecoming Queen. While there
she met her future husband, Les Jilka. The couple were married August
16, 1950, in Salina.
Following Les’s graduation, they moved to Dighton where Les had a
teaching job and their first, Nancy, was born. The next move was to
Logan and two boys came along: Kevin and David. The family later moved
to Hill City as Les played with the semi-pro baseball team here. The
family grew to eight with the births of Mike, Sue, and Donna.
In addition to raising a houseful of growing children, Beth took on
babysitting and was employed for many years as a secretary. She began
with the County Superintendent’s Office in the Courthouse and with the
Graham County United Methodist Parish for 13 years.
Over the years, Beth spent a great deal of time sitting on stadium
bleachers or at basketball courts watching her children and
grandchildren. Many times, the weather was definitely not ideal for
spectators at football or track meets. She and Les did find some leisure
time with friends and Pinochle was their favorite card game.
Beth was a lifelong member of the Methodist Church. She sang in the
church choir and served on the Memorial Committee countless years. As
an active member in the UMW (United Methodist Women), she was willing to
help where help was needed for as long as she was able. Whether it was
cooking and working at bereavement dinners, church bazaars, or fund
raisers for the church, you would see her there.
Sewing was not only a pastime, but also a necessity. Even after the
children left home, they would bring all their mending, and hemming to
her. For Beth, it was a labor of love. The children remember that they
ate what Beth cooked, which most of the time was fine with them.
However, when it came to Les’s favorite meal (liver and onions), they
had chicken fried steak! She always enjoyed the family coming home for
holidays and all the cooking that entailed. Even this past Fall, she was
planning a menu for Thanksgiving!
Beth lost Les suddenly, Father’s Day June 21, 1998, and her
youngest, Donna, November 24, 2011. Those losses were overwhelming. But
with the help of her family, church, and community friends, she made a
new life without them. With those friends, it was nights at the movie
theater or eating out every chance they could be together. Those Golden
Passport Trips with the bank were highlights especially when they went
to Branson. The gals ventured to Wichita once to see the Radio City
Rockettes. Several traveled to Lawrence and then back home on Highway
36, checking out any points of interest along the way.
Beth was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Les; her
daughter, Donna Andregg; four sisters: Agnes, Velma, Lois, and Margaret;
four brothers: Vaden, Burton, Bill, and Larry; and a great grandson,
Brewen Jilka. She is survived by three sons: Kevin (Janet) Jilka of
Norton, David Jilka of Phoenix, Arizona, Mike (Karen) Jilka of
Hillsboro; two daughters: Nancy (Don) Law and Sue (David) Schulz, all of
Hill City; a sister-in-law Joan Sams of Salina; 11 grandchildren and 17
great-grandchildren.
Click HERE for service details.