Lila Jean Hobbs, age 87 of Ellsworth, WI, passed away May 11, 2020 at the Ellsworth Health Services. Lila Jean was born February 11, 1933 in Red Wing, MN to Herman and Vivian (Lunde) Kinneman. She graduated from Ellsworth High School, with the Class of 1950. Lila Jean was united in marriage to Ernest Hobbs on July 11, 1950 at English Lutheran Church in Ellsworth. Lila’s and Ernie’s life was blessed with 2 daughters, Carol and Jacqueline. Lila Jean worked hard throughout her life. She worked various jobs including her time at Smead Manufacturing in Hastings, Service Agency in Ellsworth, and as a caretaker at the Brotoloc Home in Ellsworth, along with lovingly taking care of her family.

Lila Jean was devoted in her faith and was a longtime member of Zion Covenant Church in Ellsworth. She enjoyed sharing her faith with others, and led bible study to those she cared for at the Brotoloc Home. Lila Jean treasured family memories and did her very best to preserve them through photography, clipping newspaper articles, creating albums, and being the family historian. She enjoyed her time in the garden, raising raspberries, strawberries, rhubarb, pickles, and tomatoes, and preserving her fruits of her labor by canning. Lila Jean loved playing the piano, especially older hymns and delighted in polka music and dancing. She will be remembered for her gracious and nurturing heart that was full of love for her family.

Lila Jean will be missed by her daughters, Carol (Robert) King of River Falls and Jacki Anderson of River Falls; 2 granddaughters; 1 grandson; 1 great-granddaughter; and 2 great-grandsons; brother, Harlin (Carolyn) Kinneman of Hager City; sisters, JoAnne Christiansen of Prescott, LaVerle Marcus of Ellsworth, and Clarisse (Eugene) Beckler of Ellsworth; along with many beloved nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest; siblings, Charles Kinneman, Cleland Kinneman, and Joy Youmans; and her parents, Herman and Vivian Kinneman.

Because of the coronavirus concern, private funeral services will be held. Lila Jean will be laid to rest next to her husband, Ernie at the Beldenville Cemetery. Those wishing to send cards of condolences may send them to the family or to: O’Connell-Benedict Family Funeral Home, 130 N. Grant St., Ellsworth, WI 54011.

O’Connell-Benedict Family Funeral Home (715) 273-4421. www.oconnellfuneralservices.com