Delilah Staab

Delilah (Lila) Staab, a retired homemaker and life-long resident of Hays, Kansas, passed away peacefully at Hays Medical Center on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at the age of 92.

Lila was born in Hays on January 11, 1932 to her parents Barney and Ida (Ruder) Herl. She has six brothers and sisters: Leander, Frances. Laurin, Gene, Orie, and Tom. 

Lila graduated from Girls Catholic High School in 1950. She waited patiently for the love of her life, and shortly after he returned from serving his country in the Korean War, Lila married Elmer G. Staab of Catharine, Kansas in May of 1952. 

Lila and Elmer lived on 16th street for several years and then moved to their present home on Eldorado Lane in 1984. Lila worked at Travenol for many years while Elmer worked at Producers Gas Equities in Hays. Lila and Elmer enjoyed their joint retired life for a few short years until Elmer passed away in 1991. Lila continued to show her toughness and resilience by meticulously maintaining her home and beautiful gardens for the past 33 years. She spent endless hours in her garden, while also volunteering at the Community Assistance Center, and also selflessly volunteering for the Saint Joseph Church Catholic community for the past three decades. Still driving at the age of 92, Lila's 1996 Toyota Camry was on auto-pilot to the church, the grocery store, local restaurants and the beauty parlor. It was limited to a top speed of 35 miles/hour within the boundaries of Hays.

Sadly, Lila was also preceded in death by her daughters, Lynnette Wetter (2017) and Janet Larson (2020); and siblings, Leander, Laurin, Gene, and Orie.

She is survived by her daughter, Sherry Staab of Ashland, Missouri, her son, Lee A. Staab of Green Valley, Arizona; her nine grandchildren: Nicole (Staab) Kempf, Jeremy Wetter, Chris Staab, Lee Staab II, Shane Larson, Angela Staab, Ryan Larson. Ashley Larson, and Kelsey (Larson) Nelson; her 23 great grandchildren scattered across our great nation; a brother, Tom of Dallas and a sister, Frances of Hays.

Lee is married to Wanda (Fisher) Staab of Hays, Kansas. Lynnette was married to Roger Wetter (deceased 2018) of Norton, Kansas and Janet was married to Creighton Larson, originally from WaKeeney, Kansas. 

Lila lived her whole life serving her church, her community, and her family. Loved and respected by all, Lila is now at peace with those family members who preceded her to everlasting life.

Funeral services will be 10:00 AM Friday, September 6, 2024 at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church in Hays. Lila will be laid to rest in Saint Joseph’s Cemetery beside her beloved Elmer, immediately following the funeral mass. 

Visitation will be Thursday 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM with a parish vigil and rosary service at 7:00 PM all at Keithley Funeral Homes and Crematory-Brock’s Chapel 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601

Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.

Memories and words of comfort may be shared on Lila’s tribute page at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com