Lela Mae Mormann

Lela Mae Mormann

Lela Mae Mormann

Lela Mae Mormann, 90, passed away Sept. 17, 2015 in Tomah, WI, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Magnolia, MN on January 9, 1925 to Mitchell and Eva Dewar. She met her husband, Alvin, at the Magnolia Dance Hall where they had their first dance. They were married September 7th, 1948 for 58 years.

She is survived by her 11 children, Gloria Dettle of Tomah, WI, Steve Mormann of Tomah, WI, Sue Mormann of Atlanta, GA, Lynn Mormann of Naples, FL, Anthony Mormann of Los Angeles, CA, Karen Rezin of Palm Beach Gardens, FL, Mark Mormann of Raleigh, NC, Marilyn Jahnke of Tomah, WI, Mary Sullivan of Tomah, WI, Peggy Mormann of Raleigh, NC and Jodi Le Denmat of Racine, WI; 26 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Norbert Mormann of Adrian, sisters-in-law Betty Ann Mormann of Phelan, CA, Marie Dewar of Modesto, CA and Gladys Dewar of Poinciana, FL. She was preceded in death by her husband, Alvin, her brother, Robert Dewar and her sister, Myra Herlihy.

Lela loved to bake, play cards and bingo, play the piano, garage sale with her daughters and grandchildren and travel to wherever her children lived. She also won “Queen for a Day” on July 21, 1958 after the birth of the triplets, with the story of 9 children under 8 years of age (5 in diapers) plus Alvin losing his arm in a corn-picker the year before. She had lived in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Indiana, California, Florida and North Carolina and came back to Tomah in 2010.

Memorial mass will be at 9:00 a.m. at Queen of the Apostles Catholic Church in Tomah on Saturday, October 24th followed by burial services at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery. There will be a luncheon visitation from 10:30 to 4:00 p.m. at the K.C. Hall for family and friends.

Memorials may be made to the American Academy of Neurology (patients.aan.com – research matters/donate) or Tomah Memorial Hospital Hospice Touch and Life Choices Palliative-Care

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Condolences

  1. Virgil Schutz says:

    So sorry for your loss, she was one great caring mother. Lots of memories of your parents that we cherish. Our deepest sympathy to all your family.

  2. Craig Fagerness says:

    My amazing Aunt Lela was the mother of 11 kids. She was a Mom’s Mom who seemed to do everything perfect as a Mom and as a person. She lived a life of love, for her children and her husband. She knew sacrifice. I loved her stories of the bargains she uncovered, all in the pursuit of helping the family. She now has gone to be with her loving husband Alvin. May God have a special place in heaven for them as they certainly have earned it. My condolences to all her family at this time of great sorrow.

  3. Rose Mary Fagerness says:

    Aunt Lela carried the triplets to full term. It’s my understanding from professional sources that women carrying more than one child rarely carry the babies to full term now in this era. Perhaps it was Aunt Lela’s amazing and very admirable mother with her wealth of knowledge with respect to nutrition and of herbs that helped Lela carry the triplets to full term.

    Aunt Lela winning Queen for a Day was one of the highlights of my childhood. We were all so excited about her winning and excited and happy to see all the many gifts Lela won from Queen for a Day. I enjoyed our visits to their home during my childhood. Uncle Alvin always had some witty, funny story to tell – one of the smartest people I ever knew who always had something witty to say and a great comeback to any put downs like the person who criticized him for Aunt Lela having triplets as if she had a choice in how many children a pregnancy resulted in. His comeback involved tame adult humor.

  4. Ben Freeman (I also work with Mark) says:

    What an amazing mom and life story. My thoughts and prayers continue for you and your family.

  5. Maafu Shabaz (I work with Mark) says:

    Praying God peace, strength and comfort on the family during this difficult time. In the days to come, may they remember the words of our good book in “So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you”- John 16:22.

  6. Harold and Faye Redding-----North Carolina says:

    Saying good by to Lela, an outstanding, wise and much admired woman, who left behind a huge footprint and a wonderful legacy.
    There is lots of rejoicing in Heaven as she stands before her Savior and reunite with friends and loved ones. Our condolence to the family. We know how much she will be missed. While she will miss you calling her name, she has now answered “present” or “here”
    for a much higher calling. A Life well lived leaves behind a beautiful bouquet of memories…We pray they comfort you. Thinking of you now and days ahead. May God bless you in Special Ways as you deal with your loss…. We love all of you!

  7. Mary Fagerness Krook says:

    When one considers all that your dear mother and my sweet aunt experienced in her lifetime, it is overwhelming. She was a true role model of loving kindness through it all!
    One of my favorite memories is of Aunt Lela & Uncle Alvin dancing at my son’s wedding. They were so beautiful together! One of my most poignant memories is of Aunt Lela pregnant with the triplets arriving at her baby shower the week before she delivered. She was down to wearing a bathrobe & Uncle Alvin’s slippers, pragmatic as people were in those days. I seriously doubt if maternity clothes today would have worked!
    Please accept my deepest sympathy at your loss.
    May her love live in your heart forever.

  8. Mark Watkins (I work with Mark) says:

    She sounds like a very sweet woman, and devoted mother. I know you will miss her terribly, and hope you find peace and comfort through difficult times with the happy memories she left behind.