Lila R. Gardner

She was born September 6, 1932 in Bethany, Illinois to Harold and Ella (Warren) Rhodes. Lila attended the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. It was also there that she met her beloved husband, Len Gardner, whom she married on August 8, 1954.

Lila was a loving daughter, wife, mother, and grandmother. She taught at elementary schools in Urbana and Bloomington and was a dedicated volunteer, serving as an elder at the First Presbyterian Church of Normal.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Len. Lila is survived by her daughter Kathy (Chris) Thomforde of St. Paul, MN; grandson James Chadwick of Minneapolis, MN; granddaughter Claire (Tyler) Cadman of Bloomington, MN and great-grandson Storer Cadman.

A memorial service to celebrate Lila’s life will be held on Sunday, January 8th, beginning at 2:00 p.m. in the Chapel at East Lawn Memorial Gardens, 1002 Airport Road in Bloomington. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Normal, 2000 E. College Avenue, Normal, IL 61761.