Lillie Ann Reiss

Lillie Ann (Bilbro) Reiss went to be with her Savior Thursday, May, 18, 2023, at the age of 89.

She was born to James and Lillie Alice Bilbro on her parents’ farm outside of Forgan, OK May 31, 1933. Lillie graduated from Northwestern State University in Alva, OK in 1955. She married Ralph Randolph “Randy” Reiss August 15, 1959, and they began married life in Wichita, KS. Several company transfers with the Missouri Pacific Railroad moved the couple to St. Louis, MO, Kansas City, MO, and then back to Wichita in 1964, where they called home for the rest of their lives. It was in St. Louis where a baby girl, Cynthia Fay, was welcomed into the family December 11, 1962.

Prior to marriage and motherhood, Lillie worked for Gas Service in Wichita. As a home economist, she went to home shows and Parade of Homes events in Wichita and neighboring counties and provided demonstrations on how to cook using gas-powered appliances. In addition, she participated in several home economist clubs for several decades, making many life-long friends.

Lillie’s greatest joy in life was being a wife, mother and grandmother. She was quite the “do-it-yourselfer” before it became popular on the cable home-improvement channels. She made clothes for herself and Cynthia, and even made a sport coat for Randy. She could make any recipe in the kitchen, and she became quite proficient in wallpapering when that was popular. She also learned how to tile and grout to update the bathrooms. Lillie bought an old bike at a garage sale and gave it a makeover with new paint, tires, a banana seat and stingray style handlebars. It wasn’t the most stylish of bicycles, but it served its purpose well! She took lessons to learn to play the organ. There were many nights Randy and Cynthia spent singing show tunes or Christmas carols to Lillie’s accompaniment. In their early retirement years, Randy and Lillie traveled the country in their RV taking in the sites of San Francisco, Colorado, Yellowstone National Park, and many Good Sam Samborees.

Lillie was a very hands-on mother. She and Cynthia would ride her remodeled bike to the Westlink neighborhood library every week and would read novels to Cynthia before nap time every afternoon. She spent many school years as a room mother, helping to plan field trips, parties and snacks. As Cynthia grew older and got involved with school sports, plays, and musical programs, Lillie’s role evolved to head transportation driver, cheerleader and number one fan. She never missed a game or a performance between Kindergarten and college graduation. She was selfless and devoted and loved unconditionally, always making holidays and family events special and memorable.

Lillie attended church at the neighborhood West Heights United Methodist Church. She volunteered to help with the assembly of the Logos church paper and worked as a kitchen volunteer for many church functions over the years.

Lillie was preceded in death by her parents, nine brothers and sisters, and husband, Randy. She is survived by her daughter Cynthia (Myron) Wedel, Wichita, KS, granddaughter Kaitlyn (Alan) Bushell, Ft. Wayne, IN, grandson Jeremy Wedel, Wichita, KS, brother J. D. Bilbro, Lubbock, TX, eight nieces and nephews, and numerous great nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at West Heights United Methodist Church, Wichita, KS, Saturday June 03, 2023, 10:00 AM, immediately followed by the service at 11:00 AM. Memorials in Lillie’s honor may be sent to the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association (Wichita, KS Division), or the Kansas Humane Society.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.HillsideFuneralHomeWest.com for the Reiss family.