This post is dedicated to our Mother, Lila Belle Walker Hartmann, who passed on Thursday, February 11, 2021. She was 88 years old. Lila was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on July 10, 1932 to parents, Joseph E. Walker and Sally Farr Walker. A younger brother, Joseph Jr., was her only sibling.
Lila’s growing up years were in Cincinnati, Ohio where she graduated from Walnut Hills Hills High School in 1950. She attended University of Cincinnati to study Marketing and Design, and was a member of the Tri-Delta Sorority. Later she would use her graphic design skills as an illustrator in an aircraft factory during the Korean War.
On August 1, 1953, Lila married James (Jim) Hartmann, also from Cincinnati, Ohio in the home of her mother, Sally Walker, in Cincinnati. Lila and Jim met in school. Lila and Jim would have three children – Cristy, Elizabeth (Liz), and James Jr. After Cristy was born, the family moved to Milford, Michigan. Lila resided in Milford until 1997 (the year she turned 65). From 1997-2010, she was with son James Jr. in Florida and back to Michigan. From 2010 to her passing, Lila lived with daughter, Liz, in Mason, Michigan.
Her Milford years were busy raising her three children, and a working partner with her father in his honey business, Walker & Sons Apiaries. In addition, Lila was devoted to her faith and church, enjoyed knitting, and studied the oriental art of brushwork painting. During the later years of her life, Lila enjoyed attending teas with her daughter Cristy.
Lila was devoted to her children all her life. During our growing up years Lila gave the most precious gift she could – helping each one of us find our special talents and supporting each one’s particular interests. For Cristy, it was enrolling her in 4-H and learning to sew. For Liz, it was her ballet and dance. For James Jr. it was his sports, football and weight-lifting. Lila would see all three children graduate from Michigan State University, with Cristy and Liz going on to achieve their Master’s degrees (MSU).
Lila’s family continues on with her four grand-children – Diane, David, Nathanael, and Gabriel; and three great-grand-children- Madison, Silas, and Riley.
Lila’s legacy will be her love, kindness, generosity, optimism and positive attitude she expressed to all who knew her. She always had an encouraging word and bright smile. She loved life. She loved her family. She loved God.
God Bless You Mom.
Lila was born on July 10, 1932 in Grand Rapids, MI
Lila is pictured here with her father, Joseph Walker, and brother Joe.
Lila’s bright smile!
Such a gorgeous picture of Lila!
Lila’s high school graduation picture – 1950
Lila – second from left
Lila – pictured here in the center front
Lila pictured with her grandmother (middle) and mother on the left
Lila’s wedding – pictured here with her father – August 1, 1953
Lila with her first child – Cristy Lee
Lila with all three children – Cristy, Elizabeth and Jim Jr.
Lila with her “French-Twist” hairdo that she wore for years!
Cristy’s wedding at the Michigan State University Rose Garden on September 11, 1977
Lila attending one of many Cristy’s Themed Teas – this is “Pride and Prejudice” – August 2015
Lila sitting comfortably at her own special tea tray for the “Queen Elizabeth II” Themed Tea -Summer 2019
Lila with daughters Cristy and Liz at a Fall Friendship Tea of the Potpourri Herb Guild – October 2018
Lila with Soapy on Cristy’s front porch celebrating Mother’s Day and Cristy’s birthday – May 2020
Lila’s 88th birthday – July 10, 2020 – in the screened porch at Liz’s home
Lila with Soapy looking at the picture album Cristy put together of “Mom at Tea”
The last picture Cristy took of Lila before she passed
Lila Belle Walker Hartmann
July 10, 1932 – February 11, 2021
Hello Cristy,
This is a very lovely tribute.
Regards
Ilse
Dear Ilse: Thank You for taking the time to look at my post about my mother and for sharing your dear comment. Very much appreciate it! Cristy
Cristy, what a beautiful tribute to your mother. I enjoyed reading her story and the pictures were precious. Thank you for introducing me to her through your teas. She was a woman with so much love to give. I was always glad to see her at any of the teas that I was at…she was so very pleasant. God-bless you all.🥰💗🙏
Dear Joyce: Thank You for your dear comments! Very much appreciated! Cristy
Lovely tribute to your sweet mother, Cristy. The pictures are wonderful and I love the one of her and you as a toddler. The best legacy she could have left you is that she was a woman of faith. It helps ease the pain of her earthly life coming to an end knowing she’s in Heaven for eternity. Hugs to you!
Beautiful. Amazing write-up and it is wonderful to see all of the pictures through the years. I really love your mom’s smile..
Thank you!