Lilia Sosa Church, age 94, of Colony, died on Saturday, Nov. 30,2019, at The Moran Manor, Moran.
She was born on Dec. 15, 1924, in Douglas, Ariz., the daughter of Alonzo and Matilde Campas Sosa. Upon graduating from Douglas High School, Lilia began working at J.C. Penney, where she met a U.S. Army soldier from Kansas, Dale Church.
Lilia married Dale A. Church on April 15, 1945 in Douglas, Ariz. This union was blessed with one daughter and five sons. Their marriage spanned 61 years.
In 1946, Lilia, Dale, and their 1-year-old daughter Mary moved to the community of Lone Elm. Lilia and Dale farmed north of Lone Elm for several years before moving to a farm east and north of Colony. In 1960, Lilia and Dale and their six children moved into the town of Lone Elm where they lived for 10 years.
In 1970, Lilia and Dale moved to Colony, where they would live together for the next 36 years. During that time, Lilia worked as a custodian for Crest USD 479 at the District Office in Lone Elm. Later, Lilia worked for Twila Luedeke at The Colony Diner, and then as a cook at the Arkhaven Nursing Home in Iola. Lilias cooking for family and friends, particularly Mexican food, established her reputation as one of the very best cooks in the community.
Lilia also enjoyed being a member of The Sunshine Club. She regularly attended events involving her children and grandchildren. Lilia especially enjoyed quilting, knitting and gardening. Lilia was uniquely skilled at handling a riding lawn mower, just like her good friend and neighbor Virginia Weatherman of Colony. Lilia loved gardening and crocheting.
When Dale retired, Lilia helped him to organize and type a book about his hunting dogs and about his life as an avid outdoorsman.
Lilia was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Dale; a son, Joseph Marshall Church; her parents, Alonzo Sosa and Matilde Campas Sosa; two brothers, Robert Sosa and Francisco Sosa; two sisters, Maria Jesus Ruiz and Herminia Sosa Ochoa; a grandson, Brandon M. Church; a great granddaughter, Santana Church and numerous uncles, and aunts.
Lilia is survived by five children, Mary Hunt and husband, Alan of Brevard, N.C., Robert Church and wife, Jeannette of Xenia, Charles Church of Leavenworth, Kenneth Church and wife, Sandra of Leavenworth and Mike Church and wife Jeanna of Carlyle; 12 grandchildren, Michelle, Rebecca, Vincent, Chad, Eric, Adam, Caleb, Seth, Sarah, Hannah, Clint, Amanda; seventeen great grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Feuerborn Family Funeral Service, 1883 US Hwy 54. Burial will follow in the Lone Elm Cemetery. The family will greet friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday in The Venue at the funeral home in Iola. Memorials are suggested to St. Johns Catholic Church or to the Kappa Alpha Chapter Cancer Fund and may be left with the funeral home. Condolences may be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com.