"I was saddened and surprised to learn your mother, Lyla Jean, had passed. I was fortunate to have met Lyla Jean when I worked at Winona Health. Her obituary is beautiful and reflects so much of the woman I knew. Her generosity, her love of the residents, and her faith came through daily. My remembrance is in so many conversations when she would point her finger to heaven and thank the Lord. A beautiful lady. You have my sympathy."
In loving memory of
Lyla Jean Thompson
July 30, 1933 - April 10, 2015
WINONA
Lyla's Life Story:
There was no one who met Lyla Thompson and wasn't changed for the better. She had a sweet innocence about her and made everything beautiful as she could turn something ordinary into something truly extraordinary. It was easy to see that Lyla's life was rooted in something different, something deeper, and that something was her unwavering faith. Second only to her faith was the love she had for her family. Her devotion to her husband and children was unmatched, but she just may have argued that becoming a grandmother, then great-grandmother (GiGi) was her richest reward. Lyla was fun-loving and enjoyed making others smile with a zest for life that was contagious. She offered love without condition, and her friends and loved ones coveted her prayers. Deeply loved, Lyla will be forever missed.
The 1930s were some of the darkest years in American history as the entire decade was cloaked in the Great Depression. The year 1933 was one of the most challenging years, but despite the hardship around them, Alden and Lillian (Wicklund) Holty were filled with great anticipation as they were eagerly awaiting the birth of their new baby. Their wait was finally over on July 30th when the baby girl they named Lyla Jean drew her first breath. She was the fourth of six children in her family and was born in her grandfather's home on Holty Ridge near Caledonia. She later grew up on the family farm near Mabel alongside her siblings. Her parents farmed and were also evangelists who help start Calvary Evangelical Free Church in Spring Grove.
Lyla was riding horses before she could walk, and she had a lifelong love for all animals. She rode her horse, Beauty, bareback to her country school and she actually had a little lamb that followed her to school one day! As a young lady she enjoyed riding in parades on her Palomino, Jake, with her friends and brother, Frank as they square danced on their horses. Lyla's mother was an excellent role model, and the two were exceptionally close while her father nicknamed her "Tula," which is Swedish for "little girl." In high school, she was voted as having the most beautiful hair, and she was very involved in music and enjoyed singing. After graduating from high school in Spring Grove, Lyla attended Winona Teachers College for one year. There, she learned how to write in shorthand, and
later in life she was known to write her Christmas lists in shorthand, which meant that her kids could never translate them!
Lyla eventually married the man of her dreams whom she met in Sunday School at the age of 3. His name was Kenneth Thompson and she loved him from the start. Lyla and Kenny were married on December 30, 1955 at Calvary Evangelical Free Church. Together they welcomed five children, Robert, Debra, Carol Ann, Jeffrey, and Sharon into their hearts and home. They lived on a farm near Dorchester, Iowa. Lyla's home was always immaculate, and she made sure there was a hot meal on the table every night. Her bread pudding was a staple for her family, friends and a warm gift to anyone in need. After working all day at the business she started with Kenny, she hurried home to put supper on the table, open his garage door and put on fresh lipstick before he came home from work. She greeted him with a smile, a hug and a kiss as soon as he walked in the door. Kenny always knew he was deeply loved. Not only was everything well kept inside the home, but Lyla also had beautiful flower gardens full of peonies, geraniums, petunias, roses and hand picked rocks.
In addition to being known for her love for her family, Lyla was also known for her
strong faith. She delighted in sharing the love of Jesus with everyone she met. Lyla had an endless prayer list and spent hours in prayer every morning. She truly had a servant's heart as she found great joy in serving others. For years, Lyla was a deaconess at Bethany Evangelical Free Church in La Crosse, and found great joy ministering to the shut-ins. Having taught herself how to play both the piano and the organ as a young girl, Lyla played for several churches, weddings, funerals and community events over the years and loved playing and singing at nursing homes in Winona after moving there in 1997. The residents were always so happy to see her. She made sure that she spoke with each and every one of them. With a special place in her heart for children, she taught at Winona Christian Preschool for several years.
The list of things to love about Lyla was endless. She never acted her age, especially
when it came to crawling around on the floor with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Lyla loved joking around including playing around with her daughter
Deb's house when she was watching over it. Deb usually came home to find crazy things like pots and pans in her bed or lipstick kisses all over the windows. And in recent years, Carol Ann cherished a relationship of daily devotions over the phone, prayers and growing in the Lord. Robert found in her a lifelong source of encouragement and Jeff found the anchor and foundation for his faith. Lyla was forever leaving voicemails for her children, and she had a unique connection with each of her grandchildren, too. She and Sharon were especially close as Sharon was Lyla's caregiver for many years, and in many ways they were best friends. Sharon was Lyla's voice when she was unable to speak. They had a once-in-a-lifetime relationship that was much more than just a mother-daughter connection. Lyla loved any holiday or gathering that brought her family together. She went all out for Christmas as there was always a huge Christmas tree with blue lights that were perfectly placed. Of course, there were so many presents that they overflowed all over the ground. Her generosity extended much further than her own family as she anonymously gave groceries to friends and people in the community in
need year around.
Compassionate, empathetic, and selfless, Lyla Thompson was a blessing in the lives of all who were within her reach. She was always well kept with a natural elegance that was only accentuated by her genuine love and concern for others. Lyla was attracted to those in need as her mission was to spread the faith she cherished. Life will never be the same without her here, but her timeless legacy will be carried on by those whose life she touched.
She is survived by her children, Bob Thompson of Spring Grove, Deb (Garry) Watts of Winona, Carol Ann Mlsna of Minneapolis, Jeff (Tammie) Thompson of San Diego, and Sharon Thompson of Winona; grandchildren, Laura (Brian) Baxter, Jason Thompson, Michael (Jinette) Thompson, Brad (Kristen) Watts, Jenna (Jamie) Pomeroy, Ashley (Tom) Ronning, Blake Watts, and Bryanne Thompson; great-grandchildren, Jacob, Miley, Maddie, Austin, Lydia, Maks, Petra, Jack, and Parker; brothers, Keith (Peggy) Holty, Richard (Verly) Holty, and Kathy (Roger) Martin; sisters-in-law, Elaine Holty, Genevieve Holty, Evelyn Weimerslage, and Phyllis Thompson, and many nephews and nieces. Lyla was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ken in October 1987; son-in-law, Jamie Mlsna; and brothers, Lorren and Frank Holty.
A gathering of family and friends will be held from 4-7pm, Tuesday, April 14, 2015 at Pleasant Valley Church in Winona. Memorial service will be held at 11am, Wednesday, April 15 at church with visitation one hour prior.
Please share a memory of Lyla with her family, view her video tribute, and read her complete life story at www.hofffuneral.com.
Tribute video can be found at: http://videos.lifetributes.com/586877
Tributes
"What a beautiful soul inside and out. I got to know Lyla while she shared her piano playing talent with residents at Watkins Manor. She will be missed, may the many wonderful memories bring peace and comfort to her family."
"Sharon,I am holding you and your siblings up in prayer in this difficult time. I will never forget how hospitable your mom was to my mother Eliane Sy, "the French lady from Paris". Even though my mom did not speak much English, a beautiful friendship developed between our mothers. Lyla was incredibly nice to have my mother as a guest for weeks at a time for several years while I was a student in the dorm at UWL-La Crosse.God bless you all.Catherine Gostomski"
"I will always remember Lyla. She was a gift from God and she shared her laughter, smiles, wisdom and friendship with everyone she met. I so appreciated the few years we had together as her renter. She is now at peace and maybe even be riding horseback through the meadows of heaven. Love you Lyla, Sue"
"Our deepest sympathy to the Thompson family on the loss of Lyla. When Kenny and Lyla had the grain elevator east of Spring Grove they were our good neighbors for many years. "
"Time passes so quickly. I remember Lyla as a great friend and neighbor always quick to help out and to make things better. Lyla was a kind confidant to my mom during difficult times. She touched my life when I was a teenager and even now lives on in my heart, a sweet person, a model wife and mother, someone who loved people well. I know she will be missed by many."
"Deb, Sharon, Bob, Carol, and Jeff,Your Mom was an incredible lady - gracious, kind, and had a wonderful laugh. She was a blessing to so many. We pray that God will give you peace now when you need it most, and continue to bless her memory in your hearts forever.Love,Wes, Ann, Brittany & Leah Watts"
"Bob, Debbie, Carol, Jeff and Sharon, Our thoughts and prayers are with you all on the passing of your mom. We know her spirit lives in each of you and the memories will live forever. Peace and comfort to all of you."