LILA LAAS obituary

CHESTER - Lila E. (Ward) Laas, 85, who was diagnosed with cancer in July, died Saturday, Dec. 4, 2004, in her Chester home.

A memorial service will be 11 a.m. Thursday at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Chester. Burial of ashes will follow at the Chester Cemetery.

Lila was born near Chester on Sept. 27, 1919. She received her education at the Erickson School, then attended beauty college.

She married Walter Laas on June 17, 1939. They made their home in Chester and ran Laas Bar in those early years.

Her husband served as a state representative for eight terms and they owned and operated Laas Construction for many years.

After 61 years of marriage, Walt died in 2000.

Lila was an active bowler for 50 years. She was a life member of the R.W.B.A. and was honored with a Hall of Fame award in 2001. She received numerous bowling awards and patches.

She also enjoyed her flowers and yardwork, playing bridge and pinochle, digging for sapphires, and collecting dolls, Christmas ornaments, rocks and driftwood.

Lila was a lifelong Democrat and served as a precinct

committeewoman for many years. She was also a member of

the R.N.A. and the VFW Auxiliary.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a daughter, Gale Ione Laas; and two sisters, Stella and Vena.

Survivors include her son, Jim Laas of Gig Harbor, Wash.;daughters, Darlene (Ron) Burnett of Huntley and Trudy (Alan) Skari of Chester; brothers, Walter Ward of Choteau, Aden Ward of Chester, and Lawrence Ward of Kalispell; two grandchildren; and many nephews and nieces.

Arrangements were by Rockman Funeral Chapel, Chester.