Lyla Martha Werner

Lyla Martha Molle Werner, 84 went to be with her Lord in Heaven on June 2, 2008. She passed away peacefully at St. Luke's Magic Valley Hospital. Lyla was born on November 14, 1923 to Otto H. and Mable M. (Kurth) Molle in Balaton, MN. Her German Lutheran grandparents immigrated in 1890 to Garvin, MN from Pommern, Prussia. In 1932 the Molle family moved to California joining Lyla's uncle Fred Molle in hopes of escaping the Depression. Lyla graduated from Freemont High School in 1942, later that year at a church Walther League gathering she met the man she would marry, Leonard H. Werner. He and his cousin Ewald Thaemert were in California hoping in vain of finding jobs. Leonard and Lyla were married on December 31, 1942 in Immanuel Lutheran Church by Pastor Zagel. With World War II in full swing, Lyla soon became a devoted military wife. Leonard was drafted in the Army Air Force, he flew combat mission over Europe, was shot down, captured and became a prisoner of war. Lyla endured all of it and was blessed with her husband's safe return following Germany's surrender. After the war Leonard's Air Force career took them from base to base including Rhein Main AFB in Germany in 1958. When they returned to the US in 1961 the Werner family included two sons, Robert and Richard who were born in Germany. Leonard retired from the Air Force at Chanute AFB, IL in 1966 and the family moved to Mountain Home, ID to be near an Air Base. It was there that Lyla began a medical career at the Mountain Home Hospital beginning as a candy striper. When the boys joined Cub Scouts, she became a Den Mother and she was also an active member of Faith Lutheran Church. Following the death of Leonard's father Bob Werner in 1969 the Werner's moved to Twin Falls. Lyla continued her medical career at Twin Falls Hospital working in the lab, taking blood and as an EKG/EEG Technician. She later worked for Magic Valley Staffing and Home Hospice. Lyla was a long time member of Immanuel Lutheran Church where she was an active member of Bible Study, LWML and alter guild. She dearly loved her volunteer time with the students and teachers at Immanuel Lutheran School. She was also a member of the 559th Bomb Squadron Association and the Jeep Preservation Club of the Magic Valley. She loved to travel and went to many Squadron reunions throughout the country with her son Robert and grandson Joseph, she also made a return trip to Europe in the mid 80's. She is survived by her sons, Robert and Richard; grandchildren, Holden; Joseph; Macy and Kendra; sister, Delores Thomas, all of Twin Falls; sister-in-law, Eunice Hogan, Boulder City, NV; brother-in-law, Ivan Haskell, American Falls. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Leonard H.; brother, Delmar Molle; sister-in-law, Iola Haskell and a grandson, Gage Andrew Werner. Funeral services will be held 11:00 am Thursday, June 5, 2008 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 2005 Filer Ave. E, Twin Falls with a viewing from 10-11 am. Internment will be at Sunset Memorial Park following the service. Memorials may be given to Immanuel Lutheran School. Arrangements are under the direction of Parke's Magic Valley Funeral Home in Twin Falls.