Lila J. Mathias

Lila Jean Warnemunde was born July 27, 1928, to William and Mattie (McMillan) Warnemunde at their family farm home near Randolph, Nebraska. Lila passed away on June 28, 2026, at the age of 97.

 At the age of 12 the family moved to a farm east of St. James, Minnesota. They later movied into St. James where she graduated from St. James High School with the class of 1945. On January 24, 1947, Lila was united in marriage to Ervin F. Lorenz at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church in St. James. They were blessed with four children. Ervin and Lila enjoyed 47 years until his passing on August 3, 1994. On October 18, 1997, Lila was united in marriage to Harvey Mathias. Harvey passed away in 2008.

Survivors include daughter, Judith (Kenneth) Benzel of Oak Hill, Ohio; her sons, Roger (Karen) Lorenz of Nisswa, Minnesota, David (Kari) Lorenz of Nowthen, Minnesota, Michael (Victoria) Lorenz of Omaha, Nebraska; and her step children, Diane Mathias of Wanamingo, Minnesota and Kurt (Brenda) Mathias of Mount Pleasant, Texas.

She is also survived by her grandchildren, Constance (John) Sites of Patriot, Ohio, Bonita Benzel (Sal Solis) of Columbus, Ohio, Jeremy Benzel of Beaver, Ohio, Philip (Ashley) Lorenz of East Bethel, Minnesota, Erica (Jeff) Hofmeister of Waseca, Minnesota, Mindy (David) Lorenz-Barnes of Omaha, Nebraska.

Her great-grandchildren, Ramsey (Faith) Sites, Emily (Morgen) Parlett, Walker Sites, Greyson Sites, Mason Callahan, Aubree Lorenz, Wesley Lorenz, Jordan Hofmeister, Blakelee Hofmeister, Britta Hofmeister, Kylan Bowman, Rhowyn Lorenz-Barnes and Raevyn Lorenz-Barnes, and Rani Lorenz-Barnes.

She was also blessed with one great-great grandson, Myles Parlett.

Lila is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Mattie Warnemunde; brothers, Wendell (Myrle), Russel (Lillian), Earl (Arlene); sister, Vera (Lynn); husbands, Ervin Lorenz and Harvey Mathias.

Lila will be remembered for her unwavering faith, love for her family and the kindness she shared with everyone she met.

Services will be held at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church in St. James, Minnesota on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at 11:00 AM. Visitation will be at the church prior to the service and will begin at 9:30 AM. Interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery in St. James. Arrangements are with Sturm Funeral Home in St. James. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.