Fieldhouse concession worker dies

A concession stand volunteer at Allen Fieldhouse died after falling ill during the Kansas University-Dartmouth basketball game Tuesday night.

Overland Park resident Lila Moeller, 74, volunteered with Mount Olive Lutheran Church of Overland Park, selling concessions during KU men’s basketball games. She told her co-workers Tuesday that she felt ill, and was flown to Kansas University Hospital in Kansas City, Kan., about an hour after the game ended.

“She was a good volunteer,” said the Rev. Philip Zarling at the church. “Her family was proud of the fact she was a good worker, proud of the way their mother lived her life.”

Moeller had volunteered often, Zarling said. Moeller was among about 25 church members who worked the concession stands for Mid America Concessions at KU football and basketball games.

“Obviously, we’re very sorry for their loss,” said Mona Kloster, general manager of Mid America Concessions, which operates the stands in Allen Fieldhouse. “We wish them the very best.”

Zarling said that the family was doing well under the circumstances – including the shock of the apparent sudden illness.

“There seemed to be no indication that anything was wrong,” he said.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the church. The family will have a visitation Friday evening at Amos Family Funeral Home in Shawnee.