White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

INDEPENDENCE – Lillian Louise Greiner, 94, of Independence, Iowa, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on November 15, 2023.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. – Tuesday, November 21, 2023, at St. John Catholic Church, Independence. Burial will immediately follow at St. John Catholic Cemetery, Independence.

Visitation will begin with the recitation of the Rosary at 2:30 p.m. – Monday, November 20, 2023, at White Funeral Home, Independence, where public visitation will continue from 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., with a parish vigil service at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will continue for an hour before services, Tuesday, at the funeral home.

Lillian was born October 1, 1929, in New Vienna, Iowa, the second of ten children born to Herman and Marie (Foxen) Schwers. Upon graduating eighth grade she continued working on the home farm and for others in the farming community. Lillian married Elmer Greiner on October 4, 1949, and together they raised eight children. They initially farmed near Luxemburg and eventually moved to Independence where Lillian worked for Corn Blossom Foods and later as a psychiatric aide and supervisor at the Mental Health Institute for 16 years. Elmer was killed as a result of the KCRG tower collapse in 1973. After his death, Lillian moved to Harpers Ferry where she owned and operated the Harpers Valley Supper Club (aka “Lil’s”) for eight years. She very much enjoyed interacting with customers as well as spending time fishing on the Mississippi. She returned to Independence and to her home parish of St. John Catholic Church in 1989. In the subsequent years, Lillian was an active member of the Rosary Society, serving as president for 25 years, and was engaged in numerous improvement projects and events in and around the church. She was also manager of VFW Post #2440 for 13 years, officially and finally retiring at the age of 85. Lillian continually gave of her time and talents. She was famous for her roast beef dinners, having served them at innumerable events around Independence. She was a regular blood donor to the American Red Cross. She spent countless hours creating beautiful quilts with the Sew-n-Sews church quilting club. In her idle time, of which there was little, Lillian enjoyed fishing, playing solitaire, yard work, crossword puzzles and spending time with her family.

Survivors include her children Janice Hatt, La Crosse, WI; Fred (Laurie), Boone; Jim (Rosie), Henrico, NC; Dave (Sue), Panora; Steve (Diana), Mosinee, WI; LuAnn (Leslie Linser), Madison, WI; and Ellen Manning (Chris Hansen), Caledonia, MN; eleven grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. She is also survived by sisters Germaine Theisen, Eileen Hellmann, Caroline Nachtman, and Betty (Hal) Schulze; and brothers Elmer Schwers, Chuck (Donna) Schwers, and Jim Schwers. Lillian was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Elmer, daughter Judith (at birth), son Mark; brothers Lawrence and Merle, and son-in-law Vincent Hatt.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, memorials may be made to the family with charitable designations to be determined.
Lillian’s family wants to thank the nursing and medical staff of Allen Memorial Hospital and Cedar Valley Hospice, Waterloo, Iowa.

Condolences may be placed at www.White-MtHope.com
White Funeral Home, Independence, Iowa, is in charge of arrangements.