Lila Bernette Ward, age 100, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 28, 2024, in Amery, Wisconsin.

Lila was born on March 28, 1924, in Wanderoos, Wisconsin to Oscar and Esther Erickson. She attended Deer Lake School and later graduated from Balsam Lake High School. She married Robert Ward on December 18, 1942, and together they raised 4 children. Lila was a homemaker for many years as she raised her children. Later in life, she worked for the Amery Free Press and catered hundreds of local weddings with her dear friend Irma Marquand. She was a faithful member of First Lutheran Church in Amery as well as a member of the Eastern Star. Lila was an avid card player and belonged to many local bridge groups as well as her coffee group on South Street for almost 50 years.

Lila loved her family most of all and leaves a legacy of love and kindness behind her. She treasured her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She always had a fun game to play, a craft to create or her famous taffy to pull whenever we were together. Lila was also a wonderful and loyal friend to many.

Lila was preceded in death by husband, Robert and oldest daughter, Lorna Nelson, as well as her parents and 3 siblings.

Lila is survived by Gordon Nelson (Becky), James (Wendy) Ward, Bruce (Rita) Ward, Robin (Craig) Filkouski; 10 grandchildren, Karen Nelson, Kate Nelson, Alida Ward, Jessie Whitman, Abby Wold, Daniel Ward, Issac Ward, Andrew Filkouski, Sam Filkouski and Carlie Filkouski; 11 great-grandchildren, Mackenzie, Kallie, Brooke, Grady, Chris, Alex, Casey, Jadelynn, Kyla, Teddy and Lily.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 11, 2024 at First Lutheran Church, in Amery, WI. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will take place at the Amery Cemetery in Amery, WI.