Lila was born in Dupree, SD, on November 2, 1933, to Clarence and Marie (Angell) Hinzman. She lived on a ranch near Eagle Butte, SD, and graduated from Eagle Butte High School. Her mom, Marie Angell Hinzman, passed away when she was 7 and her Dad, Clarence Hinzman, remarried, Mable Heideman, who had four children, Richard, Janet, Lorriene and George. They had a son, her half-brother, Jerry Hinzman.
Lila married John Sever on September 15, 1950, and they lived in Dupree, SD. There they had a son, Dennis. In 1956, Lila and John moved to Bryant, SD, where they had three children, Chuckie, Sheri and Dee Dee. Chuckie passed away in 1966 at the age of 10. In 1972, Lila and family moved to Phoenix, AZ, to be near family and also obtain the specialized education needed for Dee Dee. Upon retirement she and John moved to Ventana Lakes in Peoria, AZ. Her husband, John, passed away in 2004. Lila continued to enjoy life in Ventana Lakes, then she moved to Desert Joy Assistant Living in 2015. She passed away on July 9, 2021.
Lila is survived by Dennis (Myla) Sever, Sheri (Jeff) Johnson and Dee Dee Sever, her grandchildren, Jason (Stacey) Sever, Tina (Jeremy) Cook, Sarah Sever, Kendyl (Bradley) Jones and great-grandchildren, Jack, Wrigley, Jonah, Vivian, Kale, Cameron, Kynlie and Paisley and her step-brother, Richard Heideman.
During her life, Lila faced many hardships, the loss of her mother at such a young age, then the loss of her father and tragically, her son, the birth of a special needs daughter, the loss of the majority of her eyesight, the loss of her husband of 54 years, and the loss of her half-brother and step-siblings, yet she persevered. During her life, John and Lila were always there for family and opened their home to many throughout the years. Lila’s mantra to her children was “If you’re going through Hell, keep on walking.”
In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution in Lila’s name can be made to JDRF (Juvenile
Diabetes Research Fund) at jdrf.org.
