Lila C. Gooding

Lila Claretta (Beneke) Gooding, age 94, of Topeka, KS, passed away peacefully in her sleep on May 31, 2025. Lila was born March 13, 1931, in Lost Springs, KS, the daughter of Frederick William Beneke and Clara Sophia (Riffel) Beneke. Lila was lovingly raised on their family farm with four siblings (two sisters and two brothers), whom she looked up to, cared for deeply, and always cherished.

Lila's charming life was both idyllic, being surrounded by nature's beauty in a wide open prairie, yet fraught with anxiety and uncertainty, as she experienced, even as a toddler, the vicious Kansas Dust Bowl raging through her family's farmland, then losing her beloved mother during her tender teenage years, and much later in life suffering sadly from the debilitating effects of Alzheimer's & dementia.

Lila, however, was a resilient and determined survivor, thankfully always relying on her deep faith in Christ to see her through tough times! She was a kind-hearted giver, later choosing nursing as her profession. Lila procured her degree, with honors, at Topeka's Stormont Vail School of Nursing. That same year, June 22 of 1952, Lila married her lifelong beloved husband, Alfred Paul Ray Gooding, & they shared 67 happy years together, as a match made in heaven!

Lila and Alfred diligently raised two sons and two daughters, and enjoyed residing in homes that Alfred, a talented carpenter, had both designed and built himself. As very busy hard working parents, their lives revolved around family and their belief in following God's Word. Therefore, Faith Lutheran Church became an extremely and important source of guidance and solace for them throughout their lives. Lila and Alfred valued family and spent many holidays traveling to visit relatives. They also made it a priority to take their children on many memorable family vacations.

Lila's career began as a surgical nurse at Stormont, and later she spent over 20 years as both a Head Start Nurse and a diligent Topeka School nurse, spanning elementary grades through high school. Between Lila's very busy caring profession and Alfred's talents in carpentry and 21 years as a Topeka Fireman and Captain, they both managed to humbly serve their community well. And they also set great examples for their children & others to follow.

Before and during retirement, Lila was always an active member of the Lutheran Women's Missionary League, her church women's Lydia Circle, involved in teaching Sunday School, participating with Stephen's Ministry, and joining Alfred in providing and serving the WOW Church Youth Group meals.

Both Lila and Alfred enjoyed traveling together later in life to Hawaii, Alaska, Branson, and Germany. However, by far, one of Lila's most life-changing & cherished experiences was her 1996 Medical Mission to the Ukraine, an amazing, monumental and meaningful time she cherished dearly.

Lila always kept busy tending her garden and flower beds, and making her famous homemade vegetable soup to share with neighbors and friends, She loved visiting her siblings and many extended relatives, playing cards or marbles with friends and family, walking the Shunga Trail. Later in life doing word searches, coloring beautiful pictures, singing favorite songs, and anytime...anywhere... indulging in ice cream, her favorite!

Lila most recently thoroughly treasured her visits from her grandchildren and great grands too! Those baby giggles would always make her laugh and her blue eyes sparkle! Truly, Lila's lovely presence, sweet smile, and generous caring heart will be cherished & missed dearly by all who knew and loved her kind gentle spirit.

Lila was preceded in death by her husband, Alfred Gooding, Son, Ron Gooding, Granddaughter, Ashley Gooding, Siblings: Lorena Blankensop, LaVerne Beneke, Evelyn Schultz, and Alfred Beneke, Parents: Frederick and Clara (Riffel) Beneke, and beloved Stepmother, Lydia (Brunner) Beneke.

Survivors include her son, Alan Gooding, (Topeka) and daughters, Sherri (Don) Rokey (Sabetha, KS), and Tammi (Pat) Pierce (Topeka). Grandchildren:Angela (Shawn) Marzan, (Franktown,CO),Levi Rokey (Vail, CO) Carina (Tommy) Broussard (Centennial,CO), Katie (Eric) Scribner (KC, MO), Josiah Rokey (Sabetha, KS), and Brianna Gooding (Topeka). Seven Great-Grandchildren: Brightyn, Lorna, and Rafael (Marzan), Beckham (Scribner), Maggie and Libby (Broussard), and Winter (Bell)

A visitation will take place from 10:00-11:00 AM on Monday, June 23rd, 2025 at Faith Lutheran Church, 1716 SW Gage Blvd. Topeka, KS 66604, with funeral services beginning at 11:00 AM with Burial to follow at Memorial Park Cemetery, 3616 SW 6th Ave. Topeka, KS 66606.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Faith Women in Mission/ LWML ( Lutheran Women's Missionary League)

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