Lela V. Schildt

Lela V. Schildt, 95, died Friday, October 03, 2008 at Regional West Medical Center. A memorial service will be held Monday, October 6 at 2:00 p.m. at Plymouth Congregational Church in Scottsbluff with Pastor Rod Wetzig and Howard Hale officiating. A private family inurnment will be held at Fairview Cemetery. Lela was born December 21, 1912 in McCook, NE to John and Elizabeth (Clause) Kern. Lela graduated from Culbertson High School in 1930, McCook College in 1932 and Chadron State College in 1966. She married Alex Schildt, Jr., December 16, 1939. Lela taught elementary music at Bayard, Roosevelt, and Haig Schools, retiring in 1974. Lela had been a member of Plymouth Congregational Church where she served as church organist, directed the Children’s Choir and accompanied the Plymouth Choir for many years. She had also been active in Delta Kappa Gamma, PEO, and D.O.E.S. Lela served on the Hillcrest School Board and chaired Rural School Redistricting Committees during the 1950’s. Lela is survived by her children, Sandra (Don) Davis of Johnstown, CO; Rodney (Kathy) Schildt of Scottsbluff; Deborah (Stephen) Silverman of Mitchell; and Victoria Schildt of Denver; grandchildren, Dean Vandel, Dale (Bridget) Vandel, Kyle (Emily) Schildt, Carey (Gabe) Wilcox, and Benjamin (Lindsey) Silverman; three great-grandsons, six great-granddaughters; sister-in-law, June Kern of Culbertson, NE and four nephews. Lela was preceded in death by her husband; son, Gregory; brother, Everett Kern; sisters Esther Towner; Sarah, and Pauline Kern; one nephew and one niece.