08/20/1938-10/29/2024
If a life well lived may be measured by what others remember of you or say about you when you pass, then Lila J Mathiot lived a life well lived.
Lila Mathiot passed unexpectedly on Oct. 29th, 2024 at the age of 86 in Larmie WY where she had been a resident since 1987. She was a mother, step-mother, grandmother, sister, cousin, aunt and friend to many. Born to Toby and Pauline Kaiser she grew up in Hots Springs SD with 10 siblings. She graduated from Hot Springs High School in 1956.
She married Richard M Pugh of Hot Springs SD in 1956 and she had two children from that marriage. Her second marriage was to Robert G Mathiot of Billings MT in 1977 where she became a step mother to his five children.
Being a working mother early on, she worked in administrative positions in the commercial construction industry and the Magistrate Court 7th Judicial System in Rapid City, SD.
She retired in 2005 from management in the hospitality industry where she was the general manager of the Laramie 1st Inn Gold. During her time with them she was Manager of the Year two times and was Best Inn of the Year in 2003.
In retirement she so enjoyed the close community of Prairie’s Edge where she lived and the neighbors and friends she made there. Daily calls with her children and other family members were punctuated by the daily visits by Troy, the neighbor’s dog to get his treats. Baseball and University of WY football where passions and daily she would unwind by watching The Wheel of Fortune, which she was very good at solving the puzzles.
She is survived by her two children and spouses, a grand-daughter and two of her sisters and numerous nieces & nephews.
Lila was also a hostess on the Mountain Magic Tours bus(s) that went mainly to Blackhawk and Central City. As a driver, I was always glad Lila was on board to keep the chaos to a minimum.