Lila E. Bock, age 84, passed away on Wednesday, December 19, 2018. She led an active lifestyle and died as she lived; she fell on the stairs of her gym on her way to work out.
She was born on November 5, 1934 in Rugby, North Dakota. As she grew up, her family moved to Stevensville, MT, and then to Anaconda where her father worked for the Anaconda Company. She graduated from high school in Anaconda, and married Leonard Bock.
They had 3 children, moved to Bozeman, and then settled in Helena. Lila became an elementary school teacher while Leonard worked for the US Government’s Civil Defense and served in the National Guard. After Leonard’s early death in 1973, Lila took on the role of fearless single mother. She obtained her master’s degree while she taught elementary school. She taught for 29 years at Montana City School, from 1973-2002, and even inspired two of her granddaughters to continue her legacy in public education.
She modeled a love of learning and education for her entire family. She studied birds, plants, Spanish, mandolin, and guitar. She loved her music lessons even though she joked that despite all her lessons, she, “never got any better.” Lila had a deep love for music and family. Early on, she allowed her sons’ various rock bands to practice in her basement, and later, organized family sing-a-longs every time the family got together.
She was an avid gardener and grew a variety of roses and vegetables. When anyone would come to visit, she would insist on showing off all her beautiful plants. She cared about her church community, and was an active volunteer at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. She was part of the United Methodist Women’s group, knit prayer shawls for people who were hospitalized, and supported church events.
Lila was active and competitive, and enjoyed sports all her life. She kayaked, skied, played tennis, hiked, line danced, and even created a lively ping-pong league in her basement in her last few years of life. Her family and friends would agree that she would approve of how she passed, she maintained her dignity and independence and will now always be remembered for her active lifestyle.
She is survived by her eldest son Alan Bock (Helena, MT), her daughter Laurie Bock (Edgewood, WA), and her youngest son, Paul Bock (Cary, NC). Lila’s family expanded to include 7 grandchildren: Jennifer Ruggles (Helena, MT), Ica (Jessica) Rewitz (Puyallup, WA), Jodie Schulenberg (Snohomish, WA), Carly Bock (San Carlos, CA), Emily Bock (Cary, NC), Anne Anderle (Bellingham, WA), and Marisa Anderle (Tacoma, WA), 4 great grandchildren, and a few furry grand-dogs too!
Her funeral service will be held on Saturday December 29th at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church at 1pm. Please join us to celebrate her vivacious life. Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or share a memory of Lila.
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
1:00 p.m.
Saturday December 29, 2018
St. Paul's United Methodist Church
80 E. Lawrence
Helena, Montana 59601
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
1:00 p.m.
Saturday December 29, 2018
St. Paul's United Methodist Church
80 E. Lawrence
Helena, Montana 59601
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Shelly Horne says
What a beautiful lady I remember her being friends with my mom Rachael Sanders, my heartfelt condolences for the family may God bless you through this time
Robin Kirscher says
Lila was an amazing Lady. I met her while playing pickleball and she was a great player. I always enjoyed playing with her.
Carol Vosbeck says
I have known Lila for over 30 years. I was her Dental Hygienist. Lila always talked about her family. She would talk about the twins and their american girl dolls and she would see them outfits. She loved learning spanish at Carroll College and also talked about a great trip she has with her granddaughter. ( I think it was Mexico.) She loved playing pickle ball then started ping pong. My condolences to her family she loved you all so much. She cherished all of you. Prayers to all.
Laurie Arnold says
Dear Bock family. Greg and I well remember Han games during family gatherings such as at Xmas time. Lila was a hoot, right along with tnt rest of the family. May she rest in peace!
Kathi Cates says
Lila was an inspiration to many people. She was definitely a lifelong learner. She knitted prayer shawls for people. I admired her and Dorothy Harper studying Spanish at Carroll and at home. She was an example of our need to exercise. God bless her family and friends. Rest in piece, Lila. Kathi Cates
Jacque Dimond says
Lila was “mom” to so many of us. She was that unique person that every kid should be lucky/blessed enough to have in their life. I witnessed such a bond between she and Paul. His respect and love for her was ever-present, even in what might be called those “trying teen years”, when many of us might have been struggling with our own parents, finding footing between adult and childhood. Not Paul and Lila. Their mutual love and adoration never wavered, never wrinkled. I am sure it was the same scenario with Laurie and Alan. Lila lived a life of passion and joy that I had not witnessed before. Always a dance in her step, always a smile and a kind word. Always taking care of ALL of us, and we weren’t easy to take care of, believe me 😊. Her strength and pure joy for life carried on to her children. Each one is living full lives, filled with love and children, adventure and familial bonding.
I have been gone from Helena for a very long time. Unfortunately I haven’t seen Lila in as many years. She is not a person I will easily forget. Paul, Sara, Laurie, Alan and so many family members I do not know, my heart is broken for you. And for all of us.
Karla (Rasmussen) Lange says
Mrs. Bock was my 2nd grade teacher and I was lucky to know her and keep in touch throughout my lifetime via her 40 year friendship with my mom. I always admired her zest for learning new things – she had a real passion for life, and it showed in everything she did. An amazing woman, teacher and friend – she will be missed.
Sigrid Anders-Olson says
So sorry to hear of the passing of Lila Bock; she was an amazing person whom I will always think fondly of.
I had the opportunity to know her as one of her students at Montana City School years ago. I still have many, many African Violet plants in my and my family members’ windowsills. I remember each spring she would have her classroom plant rack full of African Violet plants for us to buy and bring home for Mother’s Day. My mom and family always loved the flowers, and as I grew up, got married and had my family those flowers have always been with me throughout my life and have become one of my favorite houseplants. Every time I look at those original flowering plants I think of Mrs. Bock, and what a great teacher she was. Blessings to your family, and prayers for strength and peace. I know she will be greatly missed!
Pam Jackson says
I will miss Lila so much, because she always had such a positive attitude. She and I met with another friend every Tuesday to practice our Spanish.
Marianne Niesen says
Lila was a special woman! I loved the fact that she spoke her mind…you knew where you stood with her. Blessings to all of you as you celebrate a love well lived.
S.O. says
My sincere condolences to the Bock family. Coping with the loss of a love one is no easy especially when an unforseen accident happens. May the promise found in the bible at John 5:28,29 give you comfort and hope.
Rebekka Dodge says
I always had such great respect for Lila as a teacher and a person. She made an impression on me. I remember her being a true professional. I am sorry to the family for this loss.
Tamara Hintz says
So sorry to hear about Lila’s passing. She was a nice lady. I enjoyed sitting and talking with her at the Wednesday night dinners at church.
Dennis Mock says
Miss Lila so much: I was FRIENDS with Her TUESDAY TABLE Tennis Night, at ST PAULS UMETHODIST ,in MT HELENS hiking and so on; the last two and Half years since relocating to area from Warsaw IN.”.. I almost had to wash all Dishes if losing in our Games, Great Memiries”….She helped us settle in our new Home area….,
Sylvia Ebel Farnum says
To Lila’s family:
Lila was my first cousin. Our mothers were very close sisters and we were close during the years we were growing up. Lila’s mother, my Aunt Betty, would carefully pack a box of Lila’s clothes as she outgrew them and mail it to us. So, i grew up wearing Lila’s clothes. They were always special, too. I remember one dark blue shiny taffeta slip that reflected different colors and rustled.
The last time we were able to visit with Lila was when she came to Bismarck, ND, for the burial of our first cousin Allen Mettler’s remains. He died in a prison camp in Korea in the 1950s.
I loved LIla, although we didn’t see her often in later years.
We are at home in Lakeland, MN this winter. Husband Bruce is recovering from a stroke he suffered in December of 2017 on our way to Florida. Our daughter Julie is with us for the holidays. We sent Christmas cards, but they were late going out this year.
We want to send Lila’s family and friends our heartfelt sympathies. You have many wonderful memories to keep close.
With Love, Sylvia, Bruce, and Julie Farnum
Mary Cargill says
Lila is definitely a force of nature. My family and I were lucky to spend many events with Lila at her daughter Laurie’s home in Washington. I loved talking to her about gardening, books and her continued endeavor in learning Spanish. She loved having music played at the get togethers and encouraged everyone to participate and share her love of music and family. Lila was always engaged and treated me as family. I am sorry that Lila will not be shaking the maracas at the next gathering in person but I know she will be there in spirit.
Mary, Dennis, Max and Natalie
Marsha Alsbury says
We have been out of town so my comments are late. My son was fortunate enough to have Mrs. Bock as a teacher at Montana City school. He often comments that she was the best teacher he had in school. She taught him a love of learoand courage to always look for new adventures to learn from. He says he thinks about her often. So sorry that I did not get a real chance to thank her. Thanks to you all who shared her with us.
Laurie Bock says
Thank you to all who commented. We really appreciate the love and support and the kind things you all said about our beloved relative.
Siren Rewitz says
I am Lila Bock’s great-granddaughter. Whenever me and my twin sister would go to her house, she would always challenge us to a game of ping-pong (she always won.) Lila may have been one of the nicest people I have ever met. When we would go to her house, she always ad a game or craft for us to do.