Lilah Leone Shoman

Lilah Leone Levezow Shoman passed on October 26, 2023, after 92 years of life and nearly 71 years of marriage to her beloved husband John. She was the oldest of seven children born to Gordon and Irma Levezow (nee' Krenke) in New London, Waupaca County, WI. Lilah was blessed at baptism, educated to love people, and trust the teachings of Jesus our Lord. She believed every person is special, including their disabilities. Every child should have the gifts of love, knowledge of God, and teachings of the Bible, education in music, art, nature, and the history of our country and the world around us. Every child must be taught to respect other people — all other races, origins, countries, rich or poor.

After graduation from Central High School in Sheboygan, WI (1949), Lilah worked at Union Grove State Hospital (WI), and then earned her LPN cap at Theda Clark Hospital in Neenah. She worked in nursing, Scouting, public education, real estate, park management, retirement home management, and recreation therapy in mental health and geriatric units. She was instrumental in establishing Bowdoin Park in Dutchess County, NY. Lilah served as a Stephen Minister in Tucson, AZ. 

Lilah earned her AAS in her forties and completed her bachelor’s degree when she was 48 at SUNY-Empire State. She took post-graduate courses in her 50s, earning a certificate in gerontology from the University of Arizona. 

Lilah met John at a first aid class in Neenah, and their adventure in marriage began in November 1952. Martha, Scott, Sara, and Laura came along in due course. The family lived in Wisconsin, Michigan, and New York. Lilah and John retired in Arizona after their careers in Tucson and then Phoenix, in Sun City West, AZ. They moved to Little Rock, AR in 2019. Lilah counted over 20 moves in her married life. Each time she and John worked as a team, a united front. It was that way in so much of their life together.

Lilah loved dancing with John:  they floated in poetry and rhythm together to pop, swing and waltz. If it had a beat, they were likely to get up and dance. Lilah painted in oils, dabbled in watercolors. She gardened, growing beautiful roses and larger plots of vegetables with John, canning and freezing produce for the family, and giving away to those in need. She enjoyed music of all kinds and was a natural tenor. She and John brought music to the children through organ and piano lessons, church choir, band, and chorus. They encouraged their children and grandchildren to be kind, help others, care for creation, and to enjoy life. 

Lilah is lovingly remembered by husband John (Little Rock AR), son Scott (Plymouth NH), daughters Martha (Alamosa CO) and Laura (Kevin) Riedinger (Shannon Hills AR); grandchildren Brianna Maloney  and John Maloney (Arcadia CA); sister Margaret Jacobson (Kaukauna WI); and many cousins, nieces and nephews in Krenke, Levezow and Shoman clans. She is pre-deceased by her parents; siblings Luella, Marlene, Gordy, Irma, and Lenore; and daughter Sara Maloney. Private cremation and a family memorial are planned for a later date.

Lilah enjoyed singing hymns old and new. These she selected for her memorial, and perhaps you’d like to hum along:  On Eagle’s Wings (inspired by Psalm 91); I Was There to Hear Your Morning Cry; and Go My Children With My Blessing. 

Lilah wished for her family and friends to know she did not fear death itself; “I think it is not the end but a new beginning for me.”

 In lieu of flowers or plants, memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s Arkansas (https://www.alzark.org)