Lila Rae Bard Herbst Von Tress

Lila Rae Bard Herbst Von Tress was born on August 3, 1928, in El Campo, Texas, to John and Selma Bard. She passed away on September 25, 2026, at the age of 98, leaving behind a life filled with family, faith, friendship, service, and countless cherished memories.

Lila grew up in the country, where her father was a dairy farmer. As a young girl, she attended Blue Creek School, a two-room schoolhouse, and was raised in the Swedish Lutheran Church. She was proud to have completed the Lutheran Catechism, and her faith remained an important part of her life throughout the years.

After graduating from El Campo High School, Lila enrolled in the Methodist Hospital School of Nursing affiliated with the University of Houston, where she earned her R.N. degree. Her nursing career took her to Methodist Hospital in Houston, where she met a young college student named Grant Herbst, who was working as a summer orderly. Their meeting began a love story that would shape much of Lila’s early adult life.

Lila and Grant were married in El Campo and soon began their life together as Grant continued his education at seminary after graduating from the University of Texas at Austin. While living in the Virginia area, Lila worked at Arlington Hospital. During those years, their first son, Gary, was born.

While Grant was in seminary, Lila sang in the school choir. She had a beautiful singing voice and loved music, a gift she carried with her throughout her life.

Grant’s first church call was to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Belton, Texas, where their second son, Stuart, was born. The family then moved to St. John’s Episcopal Church in Silsbee, Texas, where their daughter, Veronica, joined the family. Their final move was to Holy Comforter Episcopal Church in Angleton, Texas, where their youngest son, Eric, was born.

Lila devoted herself to raising her four children and creating a loving home for her family. She was a constant presence in the lives of her children and, eventually, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

After her husband Grant’s death in 1969, Lila moved from the church rectory into the home where she would live for the rest of her life. That house became the heart of the family—a place where children, grandchildren, relatives, and friends would gather.

In the years that followed, Lila met and married William Von Tress. They shared many happy years together, with eight children in their blended family, and built a long and loving marriage.

Lila was an active and well-loved member of her community. Over the years, she belonged to the Women’s Study Club, participated in the Garden Club, and enjoyed playing in several bridge clubs. She treasured the friendships and social connections these activities brought into her life. She also loved a good game of bingo and played regularly for many years. She continued driving well into her 90s, giving up that independence only when she decided it was time.

Her faith remained a constant throughout her life. Lila was a member of Holy Comforter Episcopal Church in Angleton for 63 years and was an active member of the Daughters of the King. The church and its people were an important part of her life, and she was surrounded by many dear friends and fellow parishioners over the decades.

Above all, Lila will be remembered as a devoted mother, stepmother, grandmother, great-grandmother, wife, sister, aunt, and friend. She had a long and remarkable life spanning nearly a century. She witnessed tremendous changes in the world, raised a family, built a home, made lifelong friendships, and filled the years with the people and simple pleasures she loved.

Lila leaves behind a beautiful legacy of family and faith. Her 98 years were filled with love, hard work, service, friendship, laughter, and the many ordinary moments that, together, make a life extraordinary. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who were fortunate enough to know her.

Lila is survived by her son, Gary Herbst (Jane), and their three children, and six grandchildren; her son, Stuart Herbst (Deborah), and their three children and seven grandchildren; her daughter, Veronica Bosarge (Larry), and their three children and three grandchildren; and her son, Eric Herbst (Maureen), and their four children and two grandchildren. She is also survived by her stepchildren, Mark Von Tress (Debbie), their two children and one grandchild; and Krissy Von Tress, her three children and nine grandchildren.

Services for Lila will be held Thursday, October 1, at 2:00 p.m. at Holy Comforter Episcopal Church in Angleton. A time of food and fellowship will follow in the Parish Hall.