Lyla Kay Kouma
Lyla Kay Kouma
March 20, 1940 – March 14, 2020
Lyla Kay Kouma was born March 20, 1940, in Colon to James and Beatrice Marie (Stuchlik) Polak and passed away March 14, 2020, in Lincoln at the age of 79 years, 11 months and 23 days.
Lyla grew up in the Colon and Bruno area and moved to David City after the passing of her dad. In her younger years, Lyla helped her family out by having a paper route. She attended St. Mary’s Catholic School and graduated with the class of 1958. She later worked at Dale’s Production in Columbus.
On Sept. 13, 1958, Lyla was united in marriage to Daniel J. Kouma at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in David City and to this union, six children were born. The couple moved to the family farm south of Bee where they have resided ever since. Lyla cleaned houses for several families in the Seward area for many years. She loved working in her garden and orchard and enjoyed sharing all of the produce with family and friends. Lyla was a longtime member of St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church where she served several terms as president of the Altar Society. She was very active in Holy Hour for Seven Sisters Apostolate where they would pray for every priest and bishop. Her greatest joy was her family. She loved being able to babysit her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Lyla had her basement all set up for them and when they won games she would always have a prize for them. She loved helping people and she was a caregiver to anyone in need.
Lyla was preceded in death by her parents, James and Beatrice Polak; parents-in-law, Louis and Clara Kouma; two grandsons, Logan Edward Ewbank and Jessie Kouma; one great-granddaughter, Brooke Rebecca Baker; sister, Janice Crook; brothers and sisters-in-law, Louis Kouma, Lad Kouma, Gary Kouma, Georgia and Lou Policky, Mary and Ken Wietzki, Bernard and Myra Kouma, Col. Matt Mlekush and Kathy Polak.
Survivors include her husband, Daniel J. Kouma of Seward; six children and their spouses, Becky and Thomas Odell of Bee, Daniel and Jody Kouma of Bee, Barbara and Ed Ewbank of Bee, Theresa and Glenn Hain of Seward, Vicki and Burt Lintt of Springfield, Missouri, and Tommy Kouma of Seward; 16 grandchildren, Nichole Odell, Crystal and Brett Meves, Amy and Matthew Baker, Danny Lee and Tammy Kouma, Derek and Lisa Kouma, Jared and Dorian Kouma, Mathew Kouma, Sara Kouma, Micheal Kouma, Wendy and Jef Wulf, Braden Ewbank, Ethan Ewbank and friend, Alexa Badura, Brian and Tessa Hain, Jake Hain, Jordon Lintt and Joe and Crystal Lintt; great-grandchildren, Eva Meves, Aaron Wulf, Logan Wulf, Piper Wulf, Hunter Hain, Wade Kouma, Kaley Kouma, Wyatt Kouma, Klara Kouma, Trentin Kouma and Coltin Kouma.
A rosary service was held March 17, 2020, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Bee. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 18, at the church, with the Rev. Raymond Jansen and the Rev. Brendan Kelly con-celebrating mass. A graveside service and interment will follow in the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Cemetery in Bee. Memorial contributions may be made to the Kouma family for future designation. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.zabkafuneralhome.com.
