Lila mae (Snelling) Harr

Lila Mae (Snelling) Harr of Yuma, Colorado was born on December 29, 1937 and passed away after short battle with kidney cancer on May 3, 2016.  Lila was born in Yuma, Colorado and was the daughter of Roy and Ethel (Josh) Snelling, Lila was the fifth of seven children in the Snelling family.

Lila attended school in Yuma through the 12th grade.  Lila spent several summers working at her Uncles store in the mountains and formed a special bond with her cousins while there.

After graduating Lila traveled to Iowa to visit her older sister Edith who was married to Morris Harr.  Morris had a nephew who also lived in Iowa and that is where Don Harr first met Lila.  By Don's own account he instantly fell in love with Lila.  He called his Dad to get a little advice on what he should do because Lila would be returning to Colorado soon.  His Dad's advice was this "If she thinks anything of ya she'll be back".  Well Don ignored that advice and he proposed to Lila after only knowing her a couple of weeks.  Lila went back to Colorado but within a couple of months they were married.

Don and Lila lived in Iowa for a short time where their first child, Julie Ann was born in 1959.  The small family moved to Illinois where they lived until 1970.  During the years in Illinois three more children were born, Robert Dewane in 1961, Tena Marie in 1963 and Deanna Kay in 1965.  In 1970 the Harr family made a big move to Colorado back to Lila's home town of Yuma. 

Lila worked for the Yuma Schools as a cook in the school kitchen for several years.  Later on Lila worked at the Farmers State Bank until her retirement. 

Lila's journey continued after retiring taking trips with her husband Don to many places including a trip to Alaska.  After Don passed away in 2005 she continued her travels and took many trips all over the world, some she planned with special friends, her immediate family and also her cousin Alice Young.

Lila loved to camp and there were many camping trips to Ogallala with her children and their families.  Lila loved the time spent each summer at the lake and she water skied and rode the jet ski many more years than her children thought she should!

 In addition to camping with her family she joined a group of women who traveled around in their campers called "Sisters on the Fly".  Lila was very proud to be a member of this group and made many wonderful friends and lifelong memories.

Lila was an excellent seamstress making all three of her daughter's wedding dresses, her daughter in law Lisa Harr's wedding dress as well as one for her niece Angela Andrews.  Lila also enjoyed crocheting and knitting, she made crocheted necklaces, hats, scarves and also made a special outfit for each of her great grandchildren.  Each of her grandchildren received an afghan at sometime.

Lila was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church where she served on committees and was a Deacon for many years.  Lila volunteered at the Community Cupboard and Meals on Wheels, she was also involved with the Yuma Museum.

Lila is survived by her four  children and their families:  Julie Rahm and husband Brad, their son Jason, wife Abby and children Madilyn and Joslyn, son Adam Rahm and friend Kelci Ravenkamp.  Robert Harr and wife Lisa, their daughter Amy and son Nathan and wife Bailey.  Tena Stumpf and husband Kenny, their daughter Sarah Avrech and husband Mike, their children Sydnee, Harper and Brody, daughter Kelly Stanclift and husband Todd, their children Haleigh and Ryder.  Deanna Smith and husband Lyle, their son Dylan and daughter MacKenzie.  Lila's brothers, Leonard Snelling, Gary Snelling and his wife Joan Snelling, sister Carla Aagesen.  Sisters in law, Gloria Snelling and Mabel Snelling.  Numerous nieces and nephews!

Lila was preceded in death by her parents Roy and Ethel Snelling, Lila's husband Don Harr, sister Edith Harr, brothers Wilbur Snelling and Jerrold Snelling, brothers in law, Morris Harr and Mike Aagesen, sister in law Hannelore Snelling.

Lila's greatest joys were her children, grandchildren and her great grandchildren, she loved being with her family.  Lila was a wonderful loving mother, sister, grandmother, great grandmother (gi gi) and friend, her wonderful smile will be missed.

The Funeral Service was held on Friday, May 6, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church with Pastor John Hess officiating.  The interment followed at The Yuma Cemetery.  Baucke Funeral Home directed the service.