Lila Heck

Lila Heck was born the daughter of Samuel and Rose (Garvey) Murphy on February 13, 1920 in Dubuque, Iowa. She was born to eternal life on February 21, 2008 at Mercy Medical Center in Dubuque, with her family at her side. Those left to cherish Lilas memory are her husband, George, her children, Bill (Lori) Heck of Wauwatosa, WI, Rose (Dan) McEleney of Clinton, IA and Mary Ann (Phil) Stroud of Los Alamos, NM, sisters Leona Leighton of Lancaster, WI and Aleatha Kadinger of Sturgis, SD, twelve grandchildren, Patrick, Katie, Mark, Sophia, Stephan, Gina, Melissa, David, Colleen, Samuel, Jennifer and Rachael, and many nieces, nephews and friends. She was preceded by her parents, her sister Esther Temple, her brothers Francis, Sylvester, James and Lloyd and her grandson Michael.

Lila grew up in South Dakota where she loved to ride horses and help on her parents farm. Her family moved to Prairie du Chien, where she graduated from St. Marys Academy. Lila and George were married on June 25, 1955, and settled in Potosi, WI. She was active in her childrens school and with St. Andrew-Thomas parish in Potosi. Lila sold monuments for many years, and touched the hearts of people across Southwestern Wisconsin. Always one to help those in need, Lila cared for her family members in their advancing years.

Lila loved to cook, and would spoil her family with cookies, decorated cakes, fudge and other delights. She enjoyed a game of euchre with her friends and family, and taught her grandchildren how to play. Lila and George enjoyed traveling as well, visiting their ancestry homes of Ireland and Germany. She enjoyed writing and was proud of her Irish heritage. Lila researched her family history and compiled numerous stories to be cherished for generations. This Christmas Lila gave her grandchildren a book of her original poems and writings that are enjoyed by all. Her china paintings will be treasured by her family for generations.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, February 26, 2008, at St. Andrew Catholic Church, Tennyson, at 11:00 a.m. with Father Richard Leffler officiating. Burial was in St. Thomas Cemetery, Potosi. Friends were welcomed on Monday, February 25, 2008, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and on Tuesday, February 26, 2008 from 10:00 a.m. until time of services at the Martin Funeral Home in Potosi.