Lyla Woodworth

A service of celebration and remembrance will be January 6, 2018; 10:30 A.M. at First United Methodist Church, Hastings with Pastor Greg Lindenberger officiating. A private family burial was held in Fort McPherson National Cemetery on December 4, 2017. Memorials may be given to First United Methodist Church of Hastings, CASA of South Central Nebraska, Hastings Public Schools Foundation, or the South Central Nebraska Children's Chorale.

Lyla Woodworth's life was one of deep devotion to the welfare of children, her Christian faith, her love of music, the concept of service to others, and love of her dear family, friends, and the Denver Broncos. Her mind remained sharp well into her nineties, and she was a blessing to all who knew her. She passed away quietly on November 20, 2017, in her room at Good Samaritan Village in Hastings, Nebraska.

Lyla was born on January 6, 1923, in Stratton, Nebraska, the first of four children born to H. Lyle & Viva A. Lippincott Guyer. After only a few months, she moved with her parents back to their extended families in Blair, Nebraska.

After graduating from Blair High School, she attended Dana College. She enlisted in the US Navy as soon as she turned 20 years old and served as a secretary in the code-breaking effort in Washington D.C. during World War II.

After the war, she returned to Nebraska and married Donald N. Woodworth. Lyla studied music at Nebraska Wesleyan, and after their schooling, the couple settled in Denver, Colorado. There they raised a close, happy family of three children; Donald Lane, Paige, and Arden.

The Woodworths were always very active at Augustana Lutheran Church in Denver where Lyla taught Sunday School, sang in the adult choir, often as a soloist, and directed four children's choirs.

Don and Lyla found their true calling after entering the field of early childhood education. They established a private preschool in 1961, which started with nine students, three teachers, and one red station wagon to transport the students to their school. Happy Valley Children's Ranch eventually served 350 total students in six different sessions with six school buses.

After retirement, Don and Lyla moved to Hastings, Nebraska to be near their three grandsons. Lyla became active in the First United Methodist Adult Choir, Choralettes, card-playing groups, and did volunteer work at Alcott School and the CASA Program.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her two younger brothers, Glen and Lee Guyer; and her younger sister, Milly Hill. Lyla lost her husband, Don, in 2002.

She is survived by her three children; Lane Woodworth of Atwood, Kansas; Paige Wycoff (Mrs. Kevin) of Hastings, Nebraska; and Arden Woodworth of Littleton, Colorado. She also leaves her beloved three grandsons, Tyler Wycoff of St. Paul, Minnesota, Reid Wycoff of Madison, Wisconsin, and Cole Wycoff of New York City, New York; and three wonderful great-grandchildren, Elliot, Brady, and Marit Wycoff. Also left to treasure her memory are Phyllis Knapp, Amanda Wycoff, Bailey Barnard, Angie Powell, Kris Doyle, Robin Turman, Jean Guyer, Ione Guyer, Mark Hill, numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, and former students.