Lila Ann (Bell) Dietz passed away on July 15, 2021 at the Trego County -
Lemke Memorial Hospital Long Term Care in WaKeeney, KS at the age of
86. She was born on July 13, 1935 to Forrest and Mary Louise (Manis)
Bell in El Dorado, KS. Lila married Donald “Don” Dietz on June 2, 1957
in Claflin, KS. They were blessed with three sons, Jeff, Van and Scott.
Lila grew up in Claflin, KS and graduated from Claflin High School
with the Class of 1953. She went on to complete two years of college at
Emporia State University Teachers College where she obtained her
teaching certificate. Lila then moved to WaKeeney in 1955 and taught one
year before moving to teach one year at Pratt, KS. After she and Don
were married, they made their home in WaKeeney where they became
co-owners of the Dietz Market with his brother Ferd and wife Wanda which
later became Dietz IGA in 1970. When they sold the business Lila then
was a Bank Teller at First National Bank and later a bookkeeper at
WaKeeney Manor until she retired in 1995. Lila was a member of the
Immanuel Lutheran Church in WaKeeney.
Lila loved spending time at her parents’ cabin at Cedar Bluff Lake
where she enjoyed fishing from the pontoon boat. She and the boys would
often pack up a cooler of sandwiches and go fishing on the Big Creek and
Saline Rivers. She also enjoyed needlepoint, reading, collecting
antiques, puzzles, and playing Bridge.
Lila is survived by her sons Jeff and wife Joyce Dietz of Newton, KS
and Scott and wife Jana Dietz of Wichita, KS; three grandchildren, Lynn
Dietz, April (Alex) Beevers, and Taylor Dietz (fiancé Alexis); and two
great-grandchildren, Riley and Weston.
She joins in heaven her parents, Forrest and Mary Louise; husband, Don Dietz; and son Van Dietz.
A Graveside Service will be held at the WaKeeney City Cemetery at 2:00 PM on Friday, July 23, 2021.
Memorials are suggested to Northwest Kansas Hospice and may be sent
in care of Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home, PO Box 987, Hoxie, KS 67740.