Lila (Ames) Sweet-Hagenow

Lila Sweet-Hagenow, 93, of La Porte, Indiana passed away Tuesday, December 30, 2025, with her son Jim by her side.

Lila was born in Thomaston, Indiana on June 13, 1932 to the late Thomas and Delma (Rosenbaum) Ames.

Lila grew up on a farm and attended four grade schools and graduated from Stilwell High School in the Class of 1950 where she was one of twelve and the last survivor of her class.

She moved and married an airman and lived near Military bases in Washington DC, Biloxi, Mississippi. In 1954, she moved to Valparaiso, Indiana and worked at the University. In 1967, she moved to La Porte, Indiana where she worked at Levines, and The Gift Box for 20 years until retirement in 2006.

Lila traveled to 13 countries and to 20 states. In 2007, she married her first love from third grade, Jim Hagenow. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church.

Lila is survived by her loving son, Jim L. Sweet of La Porte, Indiana; a brother Deverl (Sharon) Ames of Peru, Indiana; a sister-in-law, Ann Ames; and a sister, Fonda (James) Risner of Clyde, Ohio.

Lila was preceded in death by her husbands, Lewis J. Kyes Sr., James W. Sweet, and James Hagenow; a son, Lewis J. Kyes; and a brother, Elwyn. She was also preceded by her best friend of 82 years, Myrtle Skinner.

Visitation will be held from 1 PM to 3 PM on Friday, January 9, 2026 at Frank L. Keszei Funeral Home, Essling Chapel, 1117 Indiana Avenue, La Porte, Indiana.

A funeral service will follow the visitation at 3 PM in the Funeral Home. Reverend Joel Zipay will officiate. 

Burial will follow at Patton Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to,  The La Porte County Animal Control & The Jane Bernard Animal Adoption Center, 2855 IN 2, La Porte, Indiana 46350.

To light a virtual candle, share a story of Lila’s life or leave a message of comfort for the family, please visit www.EsslingFuneralHome.com.

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