Lila E. Saxby, 93, of Cherokee passed away on Wednesday, Sept.16, 2026, at her home surrounded by her loved ones.
Memorial services will be held on Friday, Sept. 25, at 10:30 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cherokee. Pastor Jason Letsche will officiate. Visitation with the family present will take place an hour prior to services beginning at 9:30 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran. Burial of the cremains will be in Oak Hill Cemetery at Cherokee. Boothby Funeral Home of Cherokee is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.boothbyfuneral.com.
The family requests memorials be made to them for a future project in Lila's honor.
Lila was born on Oct. 20, 1932, to Fred and Cecelia (Mackowski) Grauer at Cherokee. She graduated from Washington High School in 1951. She was united in marriage on Jan. 27, 1952, to Orville Saxby at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cherokee.
Lila began working in the business office at Sioux Valley Memorial Hospital beginning in 1949 at the age 17. She faithfully worked there until her retirement in 2001, for a total of 52 years. She enjoyed her work there and made numerous friends.
She was a devoted member to Trinity Lutheran Church in Cherokee. She always put God foremost in her life. No matter what the challenge, she knew God would always make it right. She loved singing in the church choir. She never met a stranger and was always ready to help. Her life was blessed with amazing family. Highlights of Lila’s life included seeing Michael receive the Boy Scouts Eagle, God, and Country awards and his college degree from Iowa State. She was proud of seeing her daughter-in-law Mary and grandkids receive their college degrees. Lila and Sax were honored to receive the 2013 “Citizen of the Year” award for Cherokee.
She was a life member of the V.F.W. Auxiliary and stayed busy volunteering for Meals on Wheels, assisted on the committee for the Oak Hill Cemetery Directory, was a former committee member of the Thrivent Activities and supporter of the Cherokee Symphony and Sanford Museum. Lila cherished any time she could spend in Kansas City with her family members, especially with her great-grandson Lincoln Michael.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Orville Saxby; brothers: Dale Grauer, Robert Grauer and Sherald Grauer; sisters: Darlene Radke, Evelyn Stoner, Shirley Larson and Margorie Veale; brothers-in-law: Charles Stoner, Donald Radke, LeRoy Larson, Joe Veale, Orville Krumm and Russell Robinson; sisters-in-law: Wilma Grauer, Carole Grauer, Vera Saxby, Ida Krumm and Velma Robinson.
She is survived by her son Michael and Mary Saxby of Olathe, Kan.; two grandchildren, Mark Saxby of Olathe, Kan.; and Micah Saxby (Randy) Self of Olathe, Kan.; great-grandson Lincoln Self of Olathe, Kan.; sister Mary Ann (Bill) Rasmus of San Diego, Calif.; also numerous nieces, nephews and many friends.
