Lila June Byers

Lila June Byers went home to be with her Lord and Savior on June 2, 2026. Lila was born on June 4, 1933 in Tofield, Alberta, Canada to Earl and Elva (Hershberger) Roth. In 1941, the family returned to the United States, settling in Wellman, Iowa. After graduating from Iowa Mennonite School, Lila attended Hesston College followed by nurses’ training in La Junta, Colorado. After graduation, she volunteered for one year through the Mennonite Church at a hospital in Mathis, Texas. She loved working in Labor and Delivery, then continued her nursing career at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa. On June 1, 1958 Lila married Glen Byers, a cherry and grass seed farmer of Salem where they lived in Spring Valley for their 68 years of marriage. Lila worked at Salem Hospital until retirement, beginning in Labor and Delivery, and later moving to Emergency. In addition to nursing, Lila helped Glen on the farm. When first married, she fed calves, then in later years, drove tractor when they updated to a cab with air conditioning. Lila enjoyed traveling and fishing with Glen, and oil painting, but her greatest joy was spending time with family.

Lila’s faith in Jesus was important to her. She attended Western Mennonite Church and was a charter member of Salem Mennonite Church. She faithfully served on the kitchen committee, taught children’s Sunday School and Bible School; and enjoyed arranging flowers for worship services. She and her twin sister, Ila, enjoyed volunteering together in the kitchen at Drift Creek Camp and at Et Cetera Shop in Lebanon, Oregon. Most importantly, Lila was a prayer warrior and her family will greatly miss calling her with their prayer requests.

Lila is survived by her husband, Glen; daughters Valerie (Lamonte) Hochstetler, LaVonne (Nate) Good, and Julie; grandchildren Craig (Michelle) Hochstetler, Brad Hochstetler, Luke Hochstetler, Chad Good, Tyler (Dee Anna) Good, Crystal (Slade) Shippy; and Amber Good; great grandchildren Ruth, Elijah, Isaac, James and Hope Hochstetler, Lydia Good, Elias, Gracelyn, and Briella Shippy. Lila was preceded in death by her parents, and sisters Luora Leichty and Ila Hochstetler.

Visitation will be Wednesday, June 10, 3:00 to 4:30 pm at Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service. The family is planning a private graveside service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Maranatha Ministries in Mexico, founded by Lila’s late brother-in-law and wife, Cecil and Faye Byers.