Lila was born April 9, 1928, on the family farm south of Truman, Minn., to Henry and Emma (Nessler) Baarts. She was baptized on May 23, 1928, at St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Truman. She started school in District 74 through 4th grade and transferred to Truman Public School where she graduated with the class of 1945. After her brother Lyle was drafted into the U.S. Army she stayed home and helped on the family farm; using, driving and herding horses. On June 1, 1947, she married her high school sweetheart, Arnold Kesler at the Community Baptist Church parsonage. To this union, four daughters were born. She worked side-by-side with Arnie on the farm for 67+ years, often a debate of who was working harder, when he passed away in May of 2015. Lila and Arnie spent many winters in Florida. They enjoyed camping, spending time with their camping club friends. She loved growing gladiolas. As a farm wife, Lila enjoyed tending to her chickens and cows. She cleaned many chickens, ducks and bullheads over the years. For many seasons, she devoted time to freezing the year’s crops of corn, canning dill pickles, picking and selling fresh eggs for many friends and neighbors. She was a faithful member of the Community Baptist Church in Truman until it’s closing, when she began attending services at the Truman Church of Christ. In her later years, she spent many hours on the iPad playing Hearts and Solitaire, reading the newspaper and magazines, and she couldn’t wait to get the daily mail. Lila loved to mow the lawn and enjoy the breeze on the farm. Old time polka music and going out to eat were weekly highlights. Another highlight of her recent years, was the cruise to Alaska in 2016 with Shelly, Wayne and Hallie. They treated Lila like the princess she is, she loved every second of it and talked of it often. Among many attributes of a wonderful woman, Lila will be remembered for her quick wit and gentle smile. The kind that made you smile back without even thinking. She will be missed by many.

Lila is survived by her daughters, Beverly (Bruce) Taylor of East Bethel, Nancy Jo Garrison (Bud Berhow) of Truman, Sherry (Dave) Wright of Kimberly, Idaho, and Shelly (Wayne) Mayfield of Slaughter, La.; grandchildren, Cory, Seth, Stacy, Hattie, Cole, Jessica and Hallie; numerous great-grandchildren; sister, Connie (Lonny) Eads of Mountain Lake; numerous nieces and nephews and a great many friends. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Arnie Kesler; and brother, Lyle Baarts. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to Truman EMS, Truman Church of Christ or UHD Hospice in Blue Earth.

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