Luella Persons
Thursday, November 27, 1930
Date of Death:
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Age:
81 years old
Thursday, November 27, 1930
Date of Death:
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Age:
81 years old
Thursday, November 27, 1930
Date of Death:
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Age:
81 years old
Luella Persons
Mrs. Luella Persons, 81, of Rochester died Sunday, Feb 5th, 2012 at after battling Alzheimer’s disease for many years.
Luella Jane Wagner was born November 27, 1930 in New Ulm, Minnesota to Frank and Clara (Kienlen) Wagner. She grew up on a farm near Fairfax, Minnesota, and attended St. Andrews grade school, and Fairfax High School, where she was the class valedictorian and homecoming queen. During High School she was active in the 4H program and raised cattle for state competition. In 1951 she received her B.S. degree in Nursing from St. Catherine University in St. Paul, Minnesota and then completed graduate coursework at Margaret Hague Medical Center in Jersey City, New Jersey. She worked as a Registered Nurse at St. Mary’s Hospital in Minneapolis, and then St. John’s Hospital in Santa Monica, California.
In 1954 she married Benjamin Persons and they moved to the East Coast, where Ben worked for IBM. There they raised five children, and lived in Massachusetts, Ottawa, Maryland, and New York before moving to Rochester, Minnesota in 1969. In Rochester she worked as a Registered Nurse at Methodist Hospital for 10 years, and retired from nursing in 1986.
Luella was a member of St. John Catholic Church where she helped with the religious education program. She enjoyed playing tennis, bridge, and was a Girl Scout leader. Luella and Ben frequently went to the lake in the summer months to relax. She especially enjoyed spending time with her grand children, and reading poetry and books to them. Lou loved the outdoors, and was an avid birdwatcher.
Survivors include her husband Ben, son, Kenneth (Rosemary) of Rochester, and four daughters; Ann (Bob) Abolt of Elgin, Minnesota, Theresa Ross of Wayzata, Minnesota, Barbara (Cliff) Jack of Rochester, Minnesota, and Sharon (Tom) Kellogg of Falcon Heights, Minnesota. She is also survived by eight grandchildren, a brother, Carl (Eloise) Wagner of Modesto, California, and a sister Mary (Jerry) Lipetzky of Springfield, Minnesota. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother (John Wagner), sister (Alice Wagner), and an infant granddaughter.
Memorials are suggested to Alzheimer’s research at Mayo Clinic or Samaritan Bethany Home on Eighth in Rochester, Minnesota. Our family is very grateful to all of the staff at Samaritan Bethany for the excellent care they provided to Luella during her time there.
A funeral mass to celebrate Luella’s life will be held Friday, Feb. 10th at 2:00 PM at St. John Catholic Church in Rochester, Minnesota. There will be a visitation from 1:00 to 2:00 PM prior to the funeral at St. John Church. Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery in Rochester.
Macken Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com.
Condolences
The family of Luella Persons has received the following condolences.
Dear Ben and Family,
Our sympathy to you all on the loss of Luella. We know she appreciated all your loving care during the long road she traveled. God's peace to you.
Ken and Dotty Willkomm
Dear Uncle Ben, Kenny, Annie, Theresa, Barb, and Sharon - I'm so sorry about Aunt Lou. Like Donny, I too have great memories, especially during the summer months. I remember spending weeks at a time up at the cabin with Sharon, Ben and Lou. I remember Aunt Lou watching over us as we swam, taking us out to eat, and fishing in the boat (loved those straw hats she wore!) I remember spending weeks at at time down in Rochester at your house during the summer months and Aunt Lou and Ben paying us to pick up dog dirt piles (we got extra for the horse piles!) and then letting us use the money to go to Piggly Wiggly for candy (on the horse).I remember aunt Lou taking us to Soldier's Field for all day swimming (I think that's what it was called). I also remember going for walks with Ben and Lou after dinner - exercise was always so important to her. I can only imagine how difficult the last several years have been for her and all of you, and I am thankful that her spirit, mind, and body are now free.I've been praying for all of you and will continue to do so through this difficult time.
Love
Kathleen (and the rest of the Murphy clan)
Dear Ben and family -
Sharing your Sorrow and Offering our Deepest Sympathy. Luella, wife; mother and grandmother will be in your hearts forever. She will continue to watch her grandchildren grow, although she will be a distance away, the memories shared shall bring her to light with all the expressions from your heart.
I had just lost my father on new years eve, as he too struggled with Dementia. Passing moments can be difficult but the support of family and friends help the burden, and knowing that he is now in God's hand and soars on eagles wings bring me comfort.
Bill and Donna
Uncle Ben, Kenny, Anne Marie, Theresa, Barb and Sharon I enjoyed my Aunt Lou's time I spent with her. She was really the only Aunt I had and I have unforgettable memories of her. I spent many of my summers with your family up at the cabin and I know that wouldn't have been possible without Lou agreeing to take me along. I will always remember playing tennis and numerous hands of 500 and bridge at a young age with her and Ben. I think I was the only kid my age who could play either of those games thanks to your mom. I always laugh when thinking about swimming at the cabin and her calling out to be careful so we wouldn't end up like ground hamburger, meaning we got too far out near the boat traffic. I miss seeing all of you and will keep Lou in my prayers.
“In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going." John 14:1-4
Donny
To my dear Uncle Ben and cousins Kenny, Ann Marie, Barb, Theresa, & Sharon. There is never a good time to lose your mother or wife. I'm sorry you are at that time in your lives. The one who passes is the lucky one as they are in a much better place, but the ones left behind are the ones who suffer the loss. My prayers are with all of you tomorrow. I will be there in spirit. May Almighty God give you strength in this next stage of your lives. Love
Maureen
Our sincerest condolences. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Ben and Family,
Our deepest sympathy on the loss of your Wife and Mother. We have talked with Ben a few times since Luella had to go into the Samaritan Bethany and know that she will be greatly missed.
Barb and Family -
I worked with Barb at Moon's Craft Shop, and I remember her parents coming in to visit her. They were such a nice couple. I never really knew their names as they were, Barb's Mom & Dad. I now have two little girls of my own and my youngest is named Luella.
I am so sorry for your loss. May god lift you up during this time of sorrow.
With Sympathy,
Kristine (Wuertz) Schlecht & Family
Ben, Barb, and family......
It seems so long ago that I met Luella, when Barb and I worked at Moon's. And, Al and Ben go back many years, to their working days at IBM. I always remembered the "wedding stories" Al would come home with, as Ben told him what it was like to have THREE girls get married.
Time passes, but friendships remain.
We're thinking of you, and hoping you will find comfort in special memories of your wife, mom and grandma.
In sympathy and friendship,
Al and Kathy Larson
To Louella's Family,
Even though I haven't been in touch with Louella since high school years, I remember her vividly as a smiling, serious, and fun-loving teenager! She was active in EVERYTHING but my personal memories are of the times we worked on the Spotlight, our school newspaper, and the fun we had in band practice, where Lou shone in the trombone section!
My husband of 57 years, is in an Alzheimer's unit at the nursing home in Springfield, MN. So I have an idea of the journey your family has had. Please accept my heartfelt sympathy and love,
Dorothy Busch-member of the class of 1950, now living in Fairfax .
Barb,
I am so sorry to hear about your mother. I hope that you and your family are doing well. I think of you when I am at my Mother's because she has a stool you painted back in the Moon's Craft Shop days. I miss your great sense of humor!
Sarah (fellow Moon's employee)
Ken, Rosemary, and family,
Our sympathy to you and your family. May you find strength in sharing your great memories of your mom/grandmother with one another. May God bless you.
Jay and Vickie Ernste
Rita - thanks for sharing your memory of Lou from your 4-H days. Her obituary will be in the Fairfax and Springfield papers, but not New Ulm. Ken (her son)
Betsy Murnan has informed me of Luella's passing. Other than Carl, none of you have ever known me, but I want to offer my sympathy. My family and the Wagner family were neighbors 'way back when, and she and I were fellow Ridgely Happy Hustler 4-H'ers. I was just getting started when she graduated, but I remember her well, despite not really knowing her well.
Has her obituary been sent to the New Ulm Journal? I haven't seen it there yet (online).
Dear Ben
Our thoughts and prayers are with you
You have our most sincere condolences.
Gordon and Norma McKinnon
Our sympathy and heartfelt prayers go out to all of you for strength and peace. After so many years of struggle, we know that Aunt Lou is now living in God's peace. I truly wish I could be in Rochester for the funeral to celebrate her life. She was a very dear aunt to me.
Remember we are with you in spirit and in prayer.
Love,
Mary & Bob