Lyla Mae Routledge Obituary (1951

Lyla Mae Routledge, 69, Bismarck, formerly of Minot earned her Angel wings on Saturday, October 31, 2020 in her home surrounded by her loved ones listening to Willie Nelson, after a hard journey with ALS. A casual Celebration of Lyla will be held at Kelly's Home in Bismarck on Wednesday, November 4th at 2:00 PM, open to all who knew her. There will be no visitation, as cremation has taken place. Lyla was born March 27, 1951, the 2nd daughter to Wilbur O. and LaVerna (Bader) Nies, in Eureka SD. Her mother described her as feisty and chubby as a small child. She was the 2nd child in the lineup after Karen (Meier - St. Paul, MN), but before Clark (Wishek), Kent (Bismarck), Brian (Herriod, SD) and Kevin (Wishek). Growing up Lyla attended Rosenfield Country School (south of Wishek) until she was in the 7th grade where she then went to school in town. She participated in 4-H, was involved in youth fellowship in church and was a Wishek Badger Cheerleader. She learned great work ethic from her parents on the farm and told stories about always getting books in the mail from the Bismarck library that her mom ordered, getting a brand new prom dress, and getting a car to drive to town on the weekend. She graduated in 1969 and headed to the nursing program at the ND State College of Science in Wahpeton where she met her first husband, Vance Cink. Lyla dropped out of college to focus on being a wife and soon thereafter a mom to her first born, Kelly Kaye. Her second child Brandon Bradley was born after settling down in Glenburn, ND. Lyla focused on her role as a mom and was always having fun with her children. Whether it was playing the piano or listening to records her home was always filled with music. She tagged along to kids' field trips, played games in the yard and helped hide kids during hide and seek- one time it was the neighbor kid in the cabinet above the refrigerator during an intense game. Lyla always took time for her kids. Lyla was a bookworm, word find guru, and an avid photo album organizer. Her pictures of family were so important that during tornado alerts/warnings she would load her albums into laundry baskets and run to the neighbors basement. She returned to school later in life and graduated from Trinity School of Nursing in Minot with an LPN degree. Lyla loved being a nurse. She cared for her patients like they were her own family. Over the course of 32 years she had many stories to tell. Her favorite part of her career was taking care of people and she was often rewarded with employee of the year and month. Lyla married the love of her life, Paul Routledge on October 12, 1996 and they resided in Minot. She instantly gained an additional daughter Heather and son, Matt through this union. Together Paul and Lyla attended Nascar races, traveled to watch grandkid activities, camped, fished, and purchased a fishing camp home to escape to on weekends. They recently celebrated their 24th wedding anniversary. Lyla was diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease in May 2019. They moved to Bismarck in October to be closer to Kelly to allow Lyla to stay at home during her illness. The illness may have impacted her body, but her sense of humor, fun spirit, and big heart lived in the present. Even in the hardest of times during her disease she was worried about sending birthday and anniversary cards to family. Because of ALS, she became limited to what she could do, but she enjoyed being pushed in her chair for walks with her daughter, enjoyed a beer through her tube hanging out in the driveway, and controlled the remote control to watch Rawhide, Andy Griffith, RoseAnn and Golden Girls. Her love for music never ended; she listened to her CD player at night and also during naps. She gained her wings listening to her favorite - Willie Nelson. She will be remembered by so many, but especially her husband, Paul, daughter Kelly (Kevin) Bengtson, son Brandon (Amy) Cink, Stepdaughter Heather Lopez, Stepson Matt (Jen) Routledge and grandchildren: Macy (Hunter), Denni, Brooklyn, David, Josh, Jacob, Rachel, Camden, Hannah, Sarah, Jonah and great grandchildren, Dax, Zeke, Annalisia, Violet, mother Laverna Nies, sister Karen, brothers Clark, Kent, Brian \u0026 Kevin, many cousins, sister-in-laws, brother-in laws, and many nieces and nephews. Arrangements are being handled by DaWise Perry Funeral Services, Mandan.