Lila Van Pelt of Kirkland, passed away, July 9 at Evergreen Hospice. She was 93.

She was born on Dec. 3, 1915 in Flora, Ore., but has been a resident of the Eastside area for more than 75 years. Van Pelt was an accomplished artist, faithful member, deaconess, and Sunday school teacher for 17 years, as well as a committed worker in many church ministries at the First Baptist Church of Kirkland since 1963. She retired as the lunch room/coffee bar manager of Collins School Vocational-Technical School after serving there for 15 years in the 70’s and 80’s. Her hobbies were watercolor painting, gardening, and Bible studies.

Van Pelt graduated from Ballard High in Seattle in 1933, having excelled in both costume design and sports (swimming and basketball). She and her husband moved to Kirkland in 1949 and raised their family there. Along with participation in the PTA for her children, she also did survey work, managed the coffee bar/lunch room, and then went on to work as a custodian at First Baptist Church of Kirkland.

Van Pelt was preceded in death by her husband and love of her life, Milo, her son, David Van Pelt, her brothers, Don Overturf and Willard Overturf, her sister and brother-in-law, Arlyne and Earl Witt, her nephews Steve and Mike Witt, her sisters- and brothers-in-law, Roy Van Pelt, Carol Van Pelt, Lois Overturf, and Jack and Shirley Kenyon. She is survived by her son, Steven (Susan) Van Pelt, her daughter, Pamela Van Pelt, her brother, Clarence (Mary Lou) Overturf, sisters-in-law, Esther Overturf and Joyce Overturf, daughter-in-law, Mary Van Pelt, and grandchildren, Amy (Mark) Stewart, Greg (Stephanie) Van Pelt, and James Van Pelt. She was also surrounded by many loving nieces, nephews, and extended family.

A memorial service will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 25 at the First Baptist Church of Kirkland. For information, visit www.washelli.com.