Lila Lee (Childers) Blythe-Gotchall

Lila Lee (Childers) Blythe-Gotchall, age 92, of Colby passed away Monday, March 12, 2018 at her home in Colby.  Lila Lee was born December 11, 1925 to Lester Le Roy and Maude Marie (Fiechter) Childers at her Aunt’s house five miles north-east of Bird City, Kansas.  Lila grew up and attended school in Bird City.  She was the youngest of six children, one sister and four brothers.  As a small child she lived on a farm 12 miles from Bird City and attended church at a country church known as Evergreen.  After moving three and a half miles northeast of Bird City she attended the Bird City Methodist Church.  At various times, she attended the Pilgrim Holiness Church south of Bird City.  At an early age she endured the hardships of the dust storms and at the age of eight her father passed away, she learned early on how to share the chores and housework on the farm.  On May 23, 1999, she joined the United Methodist Church of Goodland.  She relied upon her faith to carry her through all of her years. 

On March 12, 1941, she married Don E. Blythe, they shared 45 years together until his death in November 1985.  Don and Lila had four children, Trent Eugene, LaVonne Elaine, Donna Fay and Carol Ann.  In September 1990, Lila Lee and Lee Gotchall were married in Goodland, and Lila welcomed to her family stepchildren Terry Lee, Larry Dean, Mary Ann, Susan K. 

Lila worked at the Boyington Motel in 1954, housekeeper in private homes and the Holiday Inn.  In 1970, she moved back to Bird City to care for her mother until 1972.  After 36 years of working outside the home she retired to become a full-time homemaker once again.  Lila loved and enjoyed time spent with all of her family. 

Lila is preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Don and Lee; daughter, Donna Fay; granddaughter, Terri Lynn Blythe; grandson, George Robinson, Jr.; granddaughter-in-law, Lori Moore; grandson-in-law, Stan Eby; sister, Hallie Lamb; and brothers, Bertram, Darrell, Keith and Russell Childers. 

She is survived by her son, Trent (Sharon) Blythe of Goodland, KS; daughter, LaVonne (George) Robinson of Fruita, CO; daughter, Carol (Floyd) Moore of Colby, KS; stepchildren, Terry Lee (Theresa), Larry Dean (Carol), Mary Ann Mills and Susan K (Lenny) Schaben; grandchildren, Rhonda (John) Robinson, Curtis Blythe, Gina (Rick) Haeffner, Keith (LaRhonda) Robinson, Jennifer Robinson, Kent Moore, Allen (Pam) Moore, Lee Moore; great grandchildren, Heather (Eric) Thomas, Chantell (David) Smith, Heath Eby, Skyler Eby, Courtney Goodman, Chris (Carleigh) Haeffner, Spencer and Colt Moore, Abby Robinson, Braxton and Porter Robinson-Hilton, Alissa (Jason) Brelsford, ShayLee (Matthew) Moore, Jeremy (Laura) Schillo, Bethany Schillo; great great grandchildren, Taylor, Caden, Alec, Jade, Dax, Mace, Oliver, Zoey, Hannah, Jaden, Camdyn, Brystol, Tiera, Tabor and Taygen.   

Funeral service will be Friday, March 16, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. MT, at Bateman Funeral Home, 211 East 11th Street in Goodland, with interment following the service at the Bird City Cemetery.  Visitation will be Thursday, March 15, 2018 at Bateman Funeral Home, from 4 to 6 p.m. MT.  Memorials will be designated later and may be left at the services or mailed to Bateman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 278, Goodland, KS  67735.  Online condolences www.batemanfuneral.com

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