Lila A. Schellpfeffer, 85, of Mayville passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 2, 2014 at Clearview Nursing Home in Juneau.
Lila was born the daughter of Emil and Julia (Miller) Schwantes on November 8, 1928 in Mayville. She was a 1946 graduate of Mayville High School. She was married to Richard Dorst for a number of years until his death. On November 25, 1961, Lila married Walter R. Schellpfeffer at St. John Ev. Lutheran Church in Mayville.
In 1947, she was chosen as queen for the Mayville Centennial Celebration. Later, she graduated from modeling school in Milwaukee. She was employed for several years with the Pichotta Dental Office. She worked at Sears Co. and several other employers in the Milwaukee area before returning to Mayville in 1961.
Lila was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Mayville, where she served as a longtime member of the Altar Guild, including many years as its secretary/treasurer and later president. She also enjoyed time with the church quilters each week, and always returned from a morning session caught up with all the local news.
Lila served for a number of years on the Mayville Swimming Pool Board, volunteered at the High School Library and local blood bank, and delivered meals to senior citizens. Lila enjoyed traveling, dining out, bowling and golfing. She also enjoyed cooking, baking, sewing, knitting and hobby work. Most importantly, Lila’s first love was being with her family. Whenever Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas rolled around, her family looked forward to coming home to Grandma’s for a nice turkey, ham or other special dinner.
Lila is survived by her beloved husband, Walter “Rags” of Mayville; her two children: Drs. Michael (Mary Capelli) Schellpfeffer of Kenosha, and Kim (Russ) Koepsell of Mayville; her two brothers: James (Ione) Schwantes of New Bern, NC and Robert (Bunny) Schwantes of Carmichael, CA; her six grandchildren: Sarah (Nathan Damodaran) Schellpfeffer, Josh (Katherine) Koepsell, Benjamin Schellpfeffer, Dan (Annie) Koepsell, Amelia Schellpfeffer and Dr. Natalie Schellpfeffer; five great-grandchildren: Lucas, Charlotte, Frederic, William and Caleb; and further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and her first husband, Richard.
A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, September 6, 2014 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Mayville with the Rev. Barry Hoerz officiating. A visitation will also be held on Saturday, September 6 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the church. Interment will take place at Graceland Cemetery in Mayville with a luncheon to follow at the Mayville American Legion Hall.
Memorials may be directed to St. Paul Lutheran Church in Mayville.
Lila’s family would like to extend a special thank you to entire staff of Clearview Nursing Home in Juneau for their wonderful care and affection given to Lila.
Koepsell Funeral Home in Mayville is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at www.koepsellfh.com.
