Lyla Bracken

LYLA BRACKEN was born to Ray and Annie (Schultz) Berger on November 15, 1924 in Tyler, Minnesota. She attended grade school in District #10 in Lincoln County, Minnesota and graduated from Verdi High School. After high school, she continued her education at Mankato University in Mankato, Minnesota and graduated from there with a B.S. Degree. On February 8, 1945, Lyla was united in marriage to Clifford Bracken. Following their marriage, they lived and farmed in Pipestone County, Minnesota. They were blessed with one child, Karen, and three grandchildren. Lyla taught in the country school in District #38 and District #60 in Pipestone County. She also taught at the elementary schools in Lake Benton and Pipestone. In 1987, she retired after devoting 42 years to teaching. In 1989, they moved from the farm into Pipestone. Clifford preceded her in death on March 24, 2001. After his death, she continued to reside in her home. In March, 2010, she became a resident of Ridgeview Estates in Pipestone. On Wednesday, November 16, 2011, she suffered from a stroke and was taken to the Pipestone County Medical Center where she died on Friday, November 18, 2011, at the age of 87 years and three days.

Lyla was baptized, confirmed and married at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lake Benton. When she moved into Pipestone, she was a faithful member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. She was also a member of the Tau Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International where she served as treasurer for several years. She loved flowers and working in her flower gardens. She was a member of a flower club, she judged flowers at local fairs, and she demonstrated floral arrangements at conventions. During retirement years, she enjoyed making crafts and traveling to various shows. For many years, Lyla sang in the Verdi Community Choir and the St. John Lutheran Church Choir in Lake Benton.

She is lovingly remembered by her daughter, Karen Geier of Minnetonka, Minnesota; her grandson, Kevin of Plymouth, Minnesota; her granddaughters, Erica and her fianc Randy Baugh of Minnetonka, Minnesota, and Nicole of Eden Prairie, Minnesota; and her special friend, Jerry Moose of Pipestone, Minnesota. She was preceded in death by her husband, Cliff; her parents; her brother, Ervin; and infant twin siblings.