Lila Lou (Drybread) Churchill
Lifelong cattlewoman and rancher, Lila Churchill, of Valentine, Nebraska passed away at home on June 26, 2024. Born August 15, 1932, to Wilbur and Celia Drybread, and married to Kenneth Churchill, Lila raised two sons of her own, Brad and Linn. There were countless other “children” that passed through her life on the ranch; she played an integral role in their upbringing too. Some went on their way, many kept in touch through the years, and a few are considered family.
Lila’s family moved to the Red Deer Ranch south of Valentine when she was a young girl, and later purchased the ranch where she lived out most of her life. Much of her childhood was spent raising, showing and selling champion Hereford cattle. She still enjoyed attending the county 4-H shows, bull sales, and the Hereford Crossroads gatherings.
A graduate of the University of Nebraska, Lila enjoyed watching Husker football and Lady Husker volleyball. She even played a little football herself in high school.
Actively involved in her community, Lila served as a Cherry County Commissioner for several terms. Even when she wasn’t a commissioner, she wasn’t afraid to stand up for what she believed to be in the best interest of the county.
Lila loved mowing hay and only quit when the ranch started using a swather instead of bar mowers a few years ago. Her summers also consisted of raising a garden with enough produce to feed the neighborhood and then some. She took great pride in her flowers and grew some of the most beautiful gladiolas.
A 4th of July tradition for Lila was to attend the Cherry County Demolition Derby. She and a group of friends would pool their money and buy a car or two in the calcutta. Lila knew how to pick a winner and they usually had the winner bought.
Lila took many trips with Kenneth and their longtime friends Buzz and Shirley Kime. They didn’t miss the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas for 20+ years, attended weddings across the country and went on various other adventures. She went on many high school rodeo road trips with Jarolyn Crouse as well. Watching rodeo on the Cowboy Channel she could still score the bronc riders as good as the judges.
Lila also had a few bucket list trips she went on with friends. Those included an Alaskan Cruise, a Mississippi River Boat Cruise, a George Strait concert, the Calgary Stampede, the American Rodeo and the Rose Parade. It didn’t matter where she was or what time zone she was in, Lila had her 5:00 toddy.
Lila’s house served as a gathering place at holidays for anyone that didn’t have somewhere to go. It’s been said that you shouldn’t trust a skinny cook, but that wasn’t the case with Lila. The only thing she didn’t make from scratch was pie crust; she thought Mrs. Smith did just fine. She could feed an army with whatever she had on hand in a moment’s notice or cook a prime rib to perfection.
Some have called her the First Lady or Queen of the Sandhills, but Lila was the Matriarch of the Simeon Community. She leaves a legacy and a wealth of knowledge of all things ranching. Her quick wit and sense of humor will be missed, but we will all remember the many nicknames she assigned.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Nebraska Jr Hereford Association or the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund.
Lila was preceded in death by her parents Wilbur and Celia Drybread, brothers Gene Drybread and Charles Drybread.
Survivors include husband Kenneth Churchill, sons Brad (Shirley) Churchill, Fowler, CO, Linn (Trula) Churchill Valentine, NE and her cat Sailor. Bonus extended family members Tom and Chris Davis, Dustin Davis, Molly Aschoff, Kathleen Gilham, Adam Pope, and Maureen “Mo” Thompson and a host of other very special friends.
Pall Bearers: Bret Adamson, Dean Churchill, Tom Davis, Bob Dexter, Mark Elsea, Keven Galloway, Jim Harms, Jason Hoffman, Shane Kime, Adam Pope, Robert Shelbourn
Honorary Pall Bearers: Delores Colburn, Chris Davis, Virginia Ensminger, Barb Harms, Shirley Kime, Cherryl Lovejoy, Darlene Publow
Funeral service for Lila Churchill age 91 of Valentine will be held on Thursday, July 11 at 11:00 AM at the Cherry County Fairgrounds. The Burial will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery in Valentine. A visitation will be held 1 hour before the funeral at the fairgrounds. Mrs. Churchill passed away on June 26, 2024, at her home south of Valentine.