Lyla Virginia Roth was born on July 4, 1920 on a homestead near Dodson, MT. She was the first-born daughter of Frank and Clara (Graber) Roth. The family soon moved to a farm in the Bloomfield neighborhood near Richey, MT. They were German-speaking Mennonites, and Lyla had to learn English in first grade. Six more children joined the family, one boy and 5 more girls. Lyla attended Pleasant Valley School and Richey High School, graduating as valedictorian. She went by train to Havre to begin college, but finished at Eastern Montana Normal School in Billings.
From a young age, Lyla loved the Lord and wanted to please Him. She wrote in a school assignment that she wanted to work with children. So she became a teacher who taught at Pleasant Valley, Richey, Paradise, and Loesch School near Volborg. It was there that she taught the three youngest Green children and met their big brother, Clifford. On Dec, 2, 1951 they were married and began their life together on the Green Ranch. Lyla was ranch wife who gardened, sewed, cooked, raised bum lambs, and was a wonderful mother to her three daughters. She attended the Baptist church in Broadus and was involved in her community (4-H, Home Demonstration Club, fair board, farm-home board….) She also taught at South Stacey School or Horkan Creek School when needed. When the girls were in high school, Lyla lived in Miles City with them during the week, traveling back to the ranch on weekends. Other girls from the country also boarded with them. After Clifford retired from ranching, they moved to Miles City permanently. There, Lyla was involved with Christian Women’s Club and Grace Bible Church. She and Cliff loved traveling, visiting family and friends in Washington, Alaska, Georgia, Virginia, and Hawaii. She also made trips with her 5 sisters to Philadelphia and Japan. One of her favorite things was spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, whom she adored. Lyla and Cliff became snowbirds, spending winters in Yuma, AZ where they made many good friends. In 2005, Lyla suffered a stroke and moved into Holy Rosary Extended Care. Six years later, Clifford also moved into Extended Care. Lyla once said the aids and nurses there were her “best friends”. The family would like to thank them for the wonderful love and care they gave her. We are also grateful to Jeanne Green, the angel selflessly caring for “Mom” all these years. Lyla lost her husband of nearly 66 years last September. She passed away on March 15, 2018.
Lyla Green was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one brother, Emery Roth; two sisters, Eunice Halland and Anita Ward; two children, Cal in 1952 and Michele in 1989; a granddaughter, Leah Brooks; and a great-grandson Jason Lee Brooks.
She is survived by two daughters, Patti (Bill) Ireland of Alaska, and Jackie Leonis of Florida; six grandchildren, Chris (Jessica) Russell of Alaska, Ginni (Joel) DeLon of Alaska, Jason (Heather) Brooks of Virginia, Jamie Brooks and Autumn Brooks of Florida, and Cari (Albert) May of Louisiana; many great-grandchildren; three sisters, Marlyn Ewald of Billings, Jan Myers and LaVerne Kroehler both of California; and many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her in-laws: Betty Pluhar and Delores (Cecil) Kolka of Miles City, Melvin (Helen) Green of Cohagen, Jeanne Green of Miles City, Beverly Green of Volborg, and many more nieces and nephews.
Family will receive friends Thursday, March 22, 2018 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral services will be Friday, March 23, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at Grace Bible Church in Miles City with burial at Custer County Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Stacey Hall, 21 Liscomb Mountain Road, Volborg, MT 59351, or to the children’s ministries at Grace Bible Church, 3505 Stower St., Miles City, MT 59301.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday March 22, 2018
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main
Miles City, MT
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Friday March 23, 2018
Grace Bible Church
3505 Stower St
Miles City, MT
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday March 22, 2018
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main
Miles City, MT
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Friday March 23, 2018
Grace Bible Church
3505 Stower St
Miles City, MT
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Diana Stieg says
So sorry to hear of your loss ??????
Emily says
I am very sorry for your loss. May you find comfort in the promise God gives us for the future, that He will soon end all reasons for distress, even sickness and death. (Revelation 21:4) If you would like to learn more about this beautiful hope, feel free to visit JW.org.
Marcia Heydt, family says
RIP, Lyla.
Alison Boe Schwarzkopf says
Jackie and Patrice, I am so sorry for the loss of your Mom! Please accept my deepest condolences. With love and affection.
Jerry and Joyce Strobel says
I was thinking about you all this Sunday morning and being glad for the many blessings that Jerry and I have as we remember the times with Clifford and Lila. Jerry and I lived 8 years in Dallas, Texas after we were married while Jerry worked for the navy. Forty years ago we moved back to Benge Ranch—across highway 59 from Stacey community. When we lived in Texas we enjoyed a weekly couples’ Bible study. It was not long after we got here before we were loving getting to know Clifford and Lila and their neighbors as we studied the Bible together. What a blessing your folks were and we continued contact when they moved to Miles City and lots of visiting as my Mom spent six years in extended care.
To connect in Jesus is very sweet! Blessings to each of you in the Lord, Jerry and Joyce Strobel
If calving and the weather allow, we will see you at the funeral time for your Mom.
Dolores Meidinger Willson says
My sincere sympathy to all the family. Now Lila & Cliff are together again.