Lila Wrather; Ojai Resident Loved to Camp, Fish

Lila Madge Wrather, an Ojai resident who loved to go camping and fishing with her husband, died in her home April 19 following a lengthy illness. She was 74.

Wrather was born in Ventura on April 10, 1923. She moved to Redondo Beach when her father, an oil worker, began drilling wells in Torrance. After graduating from high school, she met her husband, Dave Wrather.

The couple raised their family in the South Bay area, then decided to move to Ojai 20 years ago.

“To tell you the truth, it was getting kind of crowded down there,” Dave Wrather said. “She loved the out-of-doors, and Ojai was the place for that.”

Wrather became ill three years ago, her husband said.

“This month she had her birthday, and we had our 56th wedding anniversary--she made it to there and then she just had to go.”

In addition to her husband, Wrather is survived by her daughter, Patricia Jean Ruiz of Phoenix; her son, David Darryl Wrather of Oxnard; and six grandchildren.

Graveside services will be Thursday at 3 p.m. at Nordhoff Cemetery in Ojai, with Clinton Storm officiating. Memorial contributions can be made to a favorite charity. Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai.

Ventura County obituaries are published free of charge as a public service to readers. Obituaries are based on information provided by cooperating mortuaries.