Lila Maxine Hoerchler Lambert earned her wings on June 23, 2023, in Mesa, Arizona, peacefully passing in her sleep some five months shy of the century mark. She joins father Peter F. Johnson, mother Olga Schultz Johnson Gaunt, stepfather Mike Gaunt, first husband Wilbert (Bert) Hoerchler, second husband Ralph Lambert, son Steve Hoerchler, brothers Harold and Ambrose, sisters Eunice Williams and Hazel Wanesh, and beloved son-in-law Terry Kelly in their forever home.
Lila was born on November 28, 1923 in Mountain, Wisconsin, where she grew up, attended Mountain Elementary School and Mountain High School, and met the great love of her life, Bert Hoerchler. She and Bert married on February 22, 1941, and moved to Green Bay. While raising six children in Green Bay, Lila worked as a waitress, hostess, and salesperson, and still found time to serve as President of the Nicolet Elementary PTA and President of a women’s group at Our Savior Lutheran Church.
She and Bert moved from Green Bay to Highland Park, Illinois before finally settling in Mesa, Arizona in 1968. She worked at the Bible Institute and then at her favorite job – as Unit Secretary at Mesa Lutheran Hospital. Lila continued her commitment to the Lutheran Church, serving as President of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, an auxiliary of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod that supports missions around the world, and in leadership and fundraising roles for the Lutheran Good Shepherd Homes, which provide skilled nursing care at facilities nationwide.
Lila was a voracious reader, avid traveler, talented photographer, and devoted friend. She enjoyed lively card games, cribbage, family summer vacations at various Wisconsin lakes, square dancing with Bert and son Steve, and regular camping trips throughout Arizona with the Good Sam RV Club.
Lila is survived by children Joan Kelly, Ralph (Bertha) Hoerchler, Ruth (Don) Wanek, Ross (Dawn Sinclair) Hoerchler, Lynn (Janice) Hoerchler, and son Steve’s life partner Maureen Raher, 11 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, 8 great-great grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
A memorial service will be held on October 21, 2023, at 11:00 AM at Eternal Life Lutheran Church, 50 S. Jefferson Ave, Mesa Arizona. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Lila’s honor to Eternal Life Lutheran Church.
I remember Lila as a kind, caring and excellent unit Secretary.
It was wonderful to work with her at Mesa Lutheran
Rest in peace Lila
Comfort and prayers to her family