Lila Gossard

Funeral services for Lila Gossard were held on Tuesday, August 9, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. at Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home in Gregory, SD, with Pastor Allan Bouslaugh officiating.

Music was provided by Geoff Smith, accompanied by Bette Fogel, pianist.

Cindy Vaughn was in charge of registration, and Bev Keegan and Bev Janak were flower attendants.

Casket bearers were Brian Schrader, Brad Hill, Lee Graesser, Danny Forgey, Doug Beck, and Brady Peck. Honorary casket bearers were all of Lila’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Brook, Casey (Jared), Aja, Sydney, Melony (Cody), Clint (Jen), Wesley, Arthur, Iris, Harvey, Trevor, Lexi, and Mia.

Interment was in IOOF Cemetery in Gregory, SD. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Lila Dykeman was born on a farm southeast of Colome, SD, on May 21, 1932, to Ralph and Edith (Hauf) Dykeman. She was baptized and confirmed at a country church south of Colome and lived and believed in the Christian faith.

Lila attended grade school in Tripp and Todd counties. She went to school on horseback or walked three miles across pastures to grade school with her sisters. Lila attended Colome High School, living in the dormitory through the week and working after school for Mrs. Buddy Bear and Mrs. Ed Wagner. After graduating in 1950, Lila spent the summer attending Southern State College in Springfield, SD, to get a teaching certificate. Lila taught rural schools in Tripp County for three years.

Lila married Kenneth Gossard of Dallas, SD, on April 7, 1951, at the Gregory Methodist Church parsonage, with Pastor Hugh Esterage, officiating. Ken was discharged from the Army in 1953 in California. They lived in California for three months, then came back to a farm they purchased southwest of Dallas and raised their three children: Doug, Wes, and Kena.

Lila enjoyed working on the farm, raising sheep, milking cows, and tending her garden. She also enjoyed sewing, baking and cooking, and later spending time with her grandchildren.

Ken and Lila spent two winters in Weslaco, Texas, and several winters in Mesa, Arizona. They moved to Gregory in 2000 after their farm sale. Ken passed away on July 8, 2014.

Lila passed away on August 4, 2022, in Winner, SD, at the age of 90 years.

She is survived by her children: Doug (Jan) Gossard, Winner, SD, Wes (Cindy) Gossard, Winnemucca, NV, and Kena (Tony) Bolton, Rapid City, SD; six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; sister Ruth Elliot; sister-in-law Marcie Dykeman; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Lila was preceded in death by her husband Kenneth, her parents, sister Irene, brother Dennis, and brothers-in-law Ray Elliot, John Kahler, and Marlin (Georgia) Gossard.