Lila Evers

Lila Mae Evers, age 87, of North Mankato and formerly of Saint James died on February 21, 2024, at Monarch Meadows in North Mankato.

Visitation will be on Sunday, February 25, 2024, from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm at Sturm Funeral Home, Saint James Chapel and will continue on Monday from 9:30 am until 10:30 am at St. Paul's Ev. Lutheran Church in Saint James. Funeral service will be held at St. Paul's Ev. Lutheran Church in Saint James on Monday, February 26, 2024, at 10:30 am. Interment will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Saint James. The family prefers memorials be given to Friends of the Library in Saint James, Peace Lutheran Church in North Mankato, or Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School in New Ulm.

Arrangements are with the Sturm Funeral Home in Saint James. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.

Lila was born August 29, 1936, to Emil and Clara (Manteufel) Kettner in Madelia. She graduated from St. James High School in 1955. On September 6, 1958, she married Jim Evers at St. Paul's Ev. Lutheran Church in St. James. Together, they raised three children.

Lila began her working career at the movie theater in Saint James. Through the years, she worked at Ziebarth Chevrolet Auto, for Dr. Goshe, Saint James Ag Center, the New Image Gift Shop, Eppeland Construction, Thrivent Financial, and retired at the Executive Director of the Saint James Chamber of Commerce.

Lila truly enjoyed volunteering and serving the community of Saint James. Over the years, she assisted as an election Judge for the city, worked with the Saint James Community Fund Drive, volunteered for MN Soybean, was a score keeper for the high school gymnastic team, and took part in several area clubs and groups including, being a 4-H adult leader, 500 club, extension club 21, American Legion Women's Auxiliary, Beyond the Yellow Ribbon, and the Saint James Area Veterans Foundation. Lila was a member of St. Pau's Ev. Lutheran Church and served on the evening and Altar Guild. She was also chair of the funeral committee.

Lila especially took pride in the St. James Public Library. She was a part of the Watonwan County Friends of the Library. She served as co-chair of the capital campaign with Marge Jenkins to raise over $500,000 for the Multicultural Library serving the Saint James and branch libraries in Watonwan County.

In her free time, Lila enjoyed sewing, baking, traveling, gardening, collecting Humpty Dumpty collectibles, going to flea markets, and attending events for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Lila is survived by her husband, Jim; children, Layne (Sara) Evers of St. Peter, Jeff (Tina) Evers of Fremont, North Carolina, and Julie Evers of Owatonna; grandchildren, Brandon (Jodi) Evers, Michael Evers, Christian (Abby) Evers, Ashley (Merritt) Rysavy, Kylee (Brian) Caldwell, Paige (Kenneth Higginbotham) Evers, Bailey (Kevin) Williams, and Samantha Jo (special friend, Jackson Roll) Fredin; great grandchildren, Colten, Ella, Mason, Ethan, Kinley, Mercer, Connor, Aria, Miles, Bennett, Jaden, Riley, Halie, Levi, Olivia, Ellie Mae, Tabor, and one on the way; sister-in-law, Betty (Dwight) Kuehl; nephews, Terry (Lori) Kettner, Eric (Erin) Kuehl, and Matthew (Sherif Desouky) Kuehl; and nieces, Vanessa Kettner and Emily (Dan) Norland.

Lila was preceded in death by her parents, Emil and Clara; parents-in-law, Fred and Violet; brother, Floris (Dorothy) Kettner; nephew, Dale Kettner; and brother-in-law, George (Beverly) Evers.