Lila Keim

Lila Arlene (Olson) Keim, passed away at the age of 95 on July 26, 2016 at Pleasant View Good Samaritan Nursing Home in St. James, Minnesota, where she had been a resident for three years. Lila was born on November 28, 1920, in Larson, North Dakota. She received her education in Larson and completed 11th grade. In the fall of 1937 during the Great Depression, riding in the back of a borrowed grain truck with everything they owned, her family left ND for the hope of a better life in Minnesota. Initially living in the Madelia area with relatives, they settled in St. James where Lila worked at various waitressing jobs until the beginning of WWII. Wanting to make her contribution to the war effort, she made the decision to leave Minnesota for Buffalo, New York, and obtained employment at Bell Aircraft as a riveter. At the end of WWII, after Norman "Pope" Keim was discharged from the army, they were married on February 2, 1946, and made their home in St. James. Lila was a stay-at-home mom before taking a job at Toot's and Harry's Caf and later on at Ralph's Super Valu until her retirement. For over 50 years, Lila made the big white house on the corner special. She was always home and always genuinely happy to see you. She shared her love of pizza with all, often saying "If you pick up the pizza, I'll pay." She was active in her church, had a green thumb, was a very good seamstress, enjoyed reading, never possessed a driver's license, taught her children to be independent, took pride in her home, was proud she was born the year women were granted the right to vote, and was a fabulous example of how to accept life's challenges with acceptance and without complaint. She had a good sense of humor, one year giving Larry and Wayne an extra Christmas gift for marrying her daughters so they would not end up living with her again. Survivors include her two daughters, Kathy Spitzner and Mary Zimmerman of St. James; grandchildren Brian Spitzner of St. James, Rebecca (Kyle) Keller of Shakopee, Amy Spitzner (Christine) of Rochester, Minnesota, Anthony Zimmerman of McCall, Idaho, Adam Zimmerman of Mankato, Tyler Keim of Mapleton, Kinzie Keim of Mankato, and Deanne Keim of Rochester, Minnesota; great grandchildren Trenton Kettner and Abigail Spitzner, Samuel Spitzner, Greta and Wyatt Keller, Stormy and Mercy Killingsworth, and Emma Engen; sisters Lavon Morgan and Verniece Pelzel; sister-in-law Audrey Olson; and those who held a special place in her heart, Amanda Petermann, Debbie Allen, Dick and Cathy Bird, and many other relatives and friends. Lila is preceded in death by her parents Olaf and Laura Olson, husband Norman, son Arthur, sons-in-law Larry Spitzner and Wayne Zimmerman, grandson John Spitzner, brothers Marvin and Olai Olson, sister Clarabelle Beckius, brothers-in-law Martin Beckius, Vernon Lofgren, Ed Morgan and Ray Pelzel, half-siblings Oscar and Lawrence Olson and Thea (Olson) Andreason. Visitation 1 9:30 am - 10:30 am Friday, August 5, 2016 St. James Catholic Church, St. James 623 4th Street S. Saint James, Minnesota, United States 56081 A Christian Mothers Rosary will be recited at 10:00am. Service Information 10:30 am Friday, August 5, 2016 St. James Catholic Church, St. James 623 4th Street S. Saint James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Interment Information Calvary Cemetery- St. James East of town on CR 27 Saint James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Fellowship Lunch and fellowship at Marian Hall after services at the cemetery.