Lila Self

1922 - 2013

Lila May Self (nee Reetz), 91, passed away peacefully November 28, 2013. She was born May 18, 1922, to William and Frieda Reetz near Fall Leaf, Kansas. Lila met Madison "Al" Self while attending the University of Kansas. They married soon after his graduation and celebrated their 69th anniversary in September 2012. Lila and Al resided in Hinsdale, Illinois since 1966. Lila worked with Al to establish and build a successful business during the early years of their marriage. She also maintained an active interest in community organizations, family genealogy and gardening. Lila had a life-long interest in architecture. She conducted extensive research on the work of R. Harold Zook, a noted Chicago area architect who designed the Self's home in Hinsdale. Lila maintained a lifelong interest in education and leadership development. She and her husband provided endowed funds to support two leadership fellowship programs at their alma mater, the University of Kansas: the Madison "Al" and Lila Self Graduate Fellowship Program for doctoral students and The SELF Engineering Leadership Fellows Program at the School of Engineering for undergraduate students. They also initiated and provided endowed funding to establish the Leadership Academy at the Illinois Institute of Technology for undergraduate students. Lila is preceded in death by her husband, Madison "Al" Self; son, Murray A. Self; and two brothers, Elmer Reetz and Alvin Reetz. Lila is survived by her daughter-in-law, Anne Mueller; two grandsons, Milo and Aran Self; sisters, Katherine Neis and Lorene Cox; an extended family of nieces and nephews; and her long-time caregiver and companion, Helen Pourchot, of Oak Lawn, Illinois. Memorial service will be held Tuesday, December 17, at 1:30 at King-Bruwaert House, 6101 S. County Line Road, Burr Ridge, IL 60527 - 630-323-2250.