Lila M. Kizer

Lila May Kizer, 97, of Ponca City, OK, left this life on Sunday, November 2, 2025, in Carter, OK. Viewing will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 6, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, November 7, 2025, and from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at Trout Funeral Home. A Funeral Ceremony will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at First Lutheran Church. Burial will immediately follow at Resthaven Memorial Park. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory, 505 W. Grand Ave., Ponca City, OK 74601.
Lila was born on Wednesday, May 23, 1928, in Waynoka, OK, to George Alexander and Cleo Ella (Gamble) VanKirk. She graduated from Waynoka High School, later attended nursing school, and worked as a nurse until she began her family. She married Warner Kizer, Jr. on December 21, 1950, in Waynoka. Lila loved being a wife, mother, and grandmother. She volunteered many years as a Pink Lady at the hospital and worked as an Avon representative. She and Warner were lifelong members of the First Lutheran Church.
Lila loved to crochet, work puzzles, and she will be remembered most for always talking on the telephone. She enjoyed Westerns-especially those starring Roy Rogers. Known as an independent, strong-willed lady, Lila lived in her home until her health began to decline in April, when she went to live with her daughter in Carter. She had a standing hair appointment every Thursday, which she never missed, even if she wasn't feeling well.
Lila is survived by: her daughters, Pam Phillips and husband, Rick, of Carter, OK, and Rhonda Hurd and husband, Danny, of Ponca City, OK; 12 grandchildren, Laurie Simpson and Robby of Carter, OK, Cameron Hurd and Amy of Ponca City, OK, Heidi Daley and Justin of Owasso, OK, Jennifer Cartwright and Jamie of Elk City, OK, Jessica Grimes and Danny of Ponca City, OK, and Melissa Simpson and Landon of Carter, OK; 26 great-grandchildren, Katelyn Hurd and Zane of Blanchard, OK, Kelton Phillips and McKenzie, Brianna Leitz and Sampson, and Brylee Welch all of Elk City, OK, Kollen Phillips and Lilly, Kandice Simpson and Nathan, Lawson Simpson and Bella, Ryker Simpson and Aubrey, Layton Simpson and Payten, and Layson Simpson all of Carter, OK, Keenon Swinford, Kelby Grimes, Caylee Hurd, Cayden Hurd, Raylee Grimes, and Caycee Hurd all of Ponca City, OK, Carson Daley and Addyson Daley of Fairfax, OK; 4 great-great-grandchildren, Olivia and Eden of Blanchard, OK, Sawyer and Kynlee of Elk City, OK.
She was preceded in death by: her husband, Warner Kizer, Jr.; parents, George and Cleo VanKirk; mother-in-law, Florence Kizer Dobbs; fathers-in-law, Warner Kizer, Sr. and Sam Dobbs; sisters, EltaLee Eanes and GeorgeAnn Cornelius; and special friends Frances, Lyla, Lodie, and Virginia.
Pallbearers will be Robby Simpson, Landon Simpson, Cameron Hurd, Danny Grimes, Jamie Welch, and Justin Mitchell. Honorary Pallbearers will be her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Comforting Hands Hospice, 401 E. 3rd St., Elk City, OK 73644.