Obituary

Lila F. Seidel, of Litchfield Park, passed away on November 22, 2016. She was born in Tucson to Orel F. and Faye Hopper on March 5, 1929. Lila was a 1946 graduate of Tucson High School, and graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in Home Economics in 1950. While there, she met her future husband Verne D. Seidel, Jr., whom she married in 1949. After graduating, they moved to Flagstaff, where they raised three children. In 1960, she went back to school and obtained a degree in elementary education at Northern Arizona University. She went on to teach in the Flagstaff public school system until her retirement in 1987. In the early 90’s, Verne and Lila moved to Litchfield Park.

Lila was active in many organizations, including P.E.O., Assistance League, the Litchfield Park library, the Federated Church in Flagstaff, and the Church at Litchfield Park. She was a dedicated educator, and fondly remembered by the hundreds of students she taught over the years. She was particularly proud that she had helped train over 40 student teachers during her career. Her commitment to education included that of her children, in whom she instilled a lifetime love of reading and learning. Lila had several hobbies and interests, including travel, reading, gardening (especially roses), scrapbooking, and genealogy.

Lila was preceded in death by her husband of over 64 years, Verne, and her brother Stanley Hopper. She is survived by her brother Stephen Hopper and his wife Diana, of Camp Verde; son David and wife Toni, of Albuquerque, NM; daughter Janis Schutte and husband Mike, of Phoenix; and son Kenny and wife Connie, of Phoenix. She is survived by eight grandchildren: Paul Seidel, Jessica Seidel, Christopher Schutte, Sarah Whisler, Rachel Crampton, Nicholas Seidel, Heather Seidel, and Michael Seidel, and twelve great-grandchildren: Owen, Anna, and Claire Schutte; Noah and Jonah Whisler; Cailyn, Emily, and Elliot Crampton; and Aimee, Chloe, Elora, and Oliver Seidel.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00AM on Saturday, January 7, 2017 at The Church at Litchfield Park, 300 N. Old Litchfield Road in Litchfield Park. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Hospice of the Valley (hov.org) or to The Church at Litchfield Park.