Lyla Marie (Jantz) Killfoil
October 24, 1920 – October 6, 2021
Daughter of Andrew B. Jantz and Martha Marie (Buller) Jantz. Lyla was born October 24, 1920 in Goltry, Oklahoma.
She was married on November 7, 1937 to Fred Elton Killfoil in Lankin, Kansas. Lyla and Fred had 7 children, 19 grandchildred, 39 great-grandchildren, and 14 great-great grandchildren.
Lyla grew up in western Kansas where she loved school. She was always a teacher’s helper, especially when it came time to help with Plays or other activities.
Lyla was creative and an artist. She would make many of the background scenes for the plays at school. Lyla liked ceramics and drawing, later in her Golden Years she loved to color things. She taught herself to play any musical instrument she could put her hands on. Lyla played piano, organ, accordion, guitar, banjo, mandolin, steel-guitar and xylophone. She also taught others to play music. All of her children are artists and/or musical singers.
Lyla was an excellent cook. She was in charge of the family kitchen at age 10 because her father and mother had to work in their farm fields all day long. Lyla also had to take care of the house and her 2 younger sisters. At age 15 she worked on a ranch cooking and baking for a large group of workers to help support her family. Lyla was a self-taught seamstress and made her children nice homemade clothes. She lived in Newton, Kansas for 75 years. Lyla played the Church piano at Church of God of the Firstborn on S. Kansas for 73 years. She lived the last 4 years of her life at Asbury Park, now Paramount Community Rehab Center where she passed on to Heaven the 6th of October, 2021, 17 days short of reaching 101 years old. Lyla is preceded in death by her mother, father, two sisters, daughter, son, 2 grandsons, 2 granddaughters and 2 great-granddaughters.
Children are:
Jerry Killfoil of Newton, Kansas.
Shirley O Neil of Newton, Kansas.
Jane and Thomas Carrell of Newton,Kansas.
Carolyn and Stanley Smith of Crestview, Florida.
James and Judy Killfoil of Grand Forks, North Dakota.
A visitation will be from 5PM to 9PM, Monday, October 11th at Petersen Funeral Home. A graveside service will be at 2PM, Tuesday, October 12th, at God of the First Born Cemetery, off of ridge road in Newton, Kansas.
Memorial contributions in Lyla’s name may be made to Caring Hands Humane Society in care of Petersen Funeral Home, 215 N. Main, Newton, KS 67114.
I cherish the many happy times with her family. She always welcomed me as one of her own.
Great Aunt Lyla was always welcoming to our family every time we were able to visit Newton. I remember her playing songs on the piano without any music. She was a great cook too. I remember getting a bath in a washtub in her backyard. She cared for people and my Grandma Helma. She would call her often to check on how she was doing. She has an amazing family and they all have been a blessing to us.
Love and Prayers,
Bobby and Marsha Smith
I am so sorry to hear of her passing
If it was not for her and Fred
I would probably not been here now
They were the best neighbours to us and we will always be great full for them
Thoughts and prayers go out to the Killfoil Family,as they were a great part of our neighborhood. LYLA was a strong woman but very caring
All Glory to God for he has called Home another of his children. Condolences to Jerry, Shirley & Family.
Aunt Lyla was always so welcoming to my family whenever we would come to Newton. I remember staying at her house when she was washing clothes in her wringer washing machine, I hadn’t seen one of those since I was a little girl, and she used it all the time! She was a good woman and who lived a long life!
My Grandma Killfoil taught me how to play the xylophone when I was a child. I love her dearly and will miss her greatly. Music has always been a big part of our family. Grandma had a heart as big as Texas and she spread great joy in her community. I look forward to singing with her again on that beautiful shore.
Sorry to hear of Lyla’s passing. Another member of the dogpatch family that heaven has gained. She will be missed by many. I enjoyed seeing her at Asbury when I would take my mom to bingo. She lived a very long life & now may she rest in peace.
We all have such fond memories of Lyla & her whole family. She welcomed us year after year to stay with them while in Newton. Our prayers to all of you. Our Heavenly Father has called her home & we rejoice for her.