Funeral services for Lila (Svihovec) Blandy, age 93, of Hettinger, ND, will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 9, 2019 at the United Methodist Church in Hettinger, ND.  Pastor Duane Coates will officiate with burial to follow in the Hettinger Cemetery.

Lila V. Svihovec was born at the Frahm Maternity Home in Hettinger, ND, on September 6, 1926.  She was the first child born to James and Rena (Lewis) Svihovec and lived her life as a big sister to Faye, Delmar, Wava and Betty. The family's home was in Duck Creek Township, Adams County, and she attended school at Pleasant View School #10.

November of 1938 brought big changes to her life when her father died and the family moved to Hettinger.  She was in the sixth grade at the time and had vivid memories of the dramatic changes in her family's life.  She completed her education at Hettinger Public School, graduating in 1945.  During her youth she worked occasionally at the Strand Theater and regularly as a clerk at TS Harris Drug Store and then at Hancock's Rexall Drug Store.

Soon after graduation she moved to Spokane, WA and immediately found work in a downtown drug store.  After working there for a short time, she was hired by a dentist to work as a dental assistant and receptionist, a job she held until her retirement.  It was at this job that she met her husband, a WWII veteran who was busy establishing his business as a Dental Technician.  His name was Lawrence "Larry" Blandy and they were married on May 27, 1949.  Together, they built a good life in the Spokane area.  They enjoyed traveling, and did so extensively, making WWII reunions their priority.  They also loved gardening and Lila was an expert at preserving the fruits and vegetables they raised.  Her talent for gardening included bountiful gardens with roses that were exceptionally beautiful.  She treasured working with her roses and teaching others how to plant, feed, prune and clip them.  In 1988, Larry was diagnosed with mesothelioma and Lila suffered a severe stroke.  Family moved them to Hettinger to care for them.  Larry died in October that year.

After his death, Lila became active in community life.  As a devoted member of the Hettinger United Methodist Church, she served as Communion Steward for several years and Sanctuary Preparation Steward for 25 years. She was a member of the "Hometowners", a local women's vocal group.  Her many talents ranged from cooking and baking, sewing and crafts, to oil painting, which she enjoyed the most.  Gifted with a magnificent sense of color, she was able to transform a blank canvas into beautiful landscapes, stunning birds and animals or still life with strokes of a brush dipped in paint.  Her love and respect for animals were ever present in her paintings of them.  Being a member of the local Art Association was important to her.  In additional to the pleasure of working with other local artists, it provided and opportunity for her to display her work, for which she received many awards.

She will be remembered for her faith, strength and exceptional courage in the face of adversity.  A two-time survivor of breast cancer and other serious health issues, she was a hero in every sense of the word.  Family was the central focus of her life.  Holidays, birthdays, weddings, baptisms, Wednesday night family suppers and 'no reason at all drop-in visits', brought her great joy.

She entered Western Horizons Care Center in September of 2015 and embraced the residents and staff as extended family.  Jill, the Care Center therapy cat, must have sensed her love for animals, as they became steadfast and constant companions.  Lila passed away on Tuesday evening, November 5, 2019 at the Western Horizons Care Center in Hettinger.

Surviving family to celebrate her live with loving memories are her sisters, Wava (Bruce) Howe, Dickinson, ND and Betty Svihovec, Hettinger, ND; sister-in-law, Veronica Svihovec, Hettinger, ND; nieces and nephews, Wayne (Val) Schmaltz, Fargo, ND, Charlotte Olson, Bismarck, ND, Rick Brunmaier, Aberdeen, SD, Bruce (Carol) Howe Jr., Bismarck, ND, Carmi Howe, Dickinson, ND, Timothy Howe, Spearfish, SD, Cyrisse (Les) Wietstock, West Fargo, ND, James (Linda) Svihovec, Bismarck, ND, Collette (Terry) Kraft, Mandan, ND, Maureen Svihovec, Valley City, ND and Joey (Dave) Erickson, Hettinger, ND.  She is also survived by numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews and extended family members.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents, sister, Faye (Christ) Schmaltz, brother, Delmar Svihovec; nephew, Duane "Tubby" Svihovec", niece, Gwen (Schmaltz) Brunmaier; great-niece, Amy Svihovec; great-great nephew, Gabriel Olson.

Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday morning the 9 ^th of November.