Services held for Lillian Mowris

Lillian Vivian Mowris passed into eternal life on March 29, 2015 surrounded by her loving family at her daughter's home in Racine, where she lived the last 11 months. She succumbed to Progressive Supra-nuclear Palsy (PSP), three and a half years after her diagnosis. Lillian was born on April 1, 1925, in Steenerson Township, Minnesota. The daughter of Bill and Mamie (Huderle) Zavoral, Lillian was the sixth in a family of ten children, all of whom were born at home. She grew up on the family farm near Grygla, Minnesota, approximately 50 miles from the closest city. During her early years, she worked on the farm along with her siblings, harvesting hay and caring for farm animals. A ferocious reader, "Lalo," as she was called when she was a little girl, could often be found in the hay loft after sneaking off from chores to read. Her love of education continued throughout her life. As a child she won recognition as an accomplished speller, winning the regional contest and a trip to the state spelling bee. At the age of 13, she moved to the city to go to high school and later to drafting school. She was employed as a draftsperson during WWII. She married Robert E. Mowris in 1946, was married for 33 years, and later divorced. They raised nine children, and built a family home at 2307 W. Memorial Dr. Janesville in 1956. She lived there for 55 years. Lillian loved gardening, particularly planting trees, painting with watercolors, reading, walking her dogs and watching television. In the winter she enjoyed cross-country skiing and hiking. Gathering her family around for family dinners, holidays or any reason to celebrate with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, brothers and sisters, extended family and friends, was one of her greatest joys. Christmas and the 4th of July were her favorite holidays and she pulled out all the stops to make them memorable for more than 60 years. Lillian was a true feminist who taught tolerance, acceptance, humility and strength to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren with her words and actions. Her creative nature shown in the hundreds of ways that she shared with her family. Her gentle spirit graced all of us. Her intelligence saved us from difficult times and her interminable faith and optimism touched everyone she met. She was a champion of the less fortunate, and would give the shirt off her back if someone in the family needed help. She loved and was loved to the moon and back. As a devoted naturalist, she supported many environmental and wildlife organizations, including the Sierra Club, the Arbor Day Foundation, the Natural Resources Defense Council and the World Wildlife Fund. She also served as President of the Washington School PTA and was a den mother for many years. She had been employed at various companies over the years, including Sintered Specialties, Monterey Mills, Janesville Parker High School, Pleasant Company, Wal-Mart and Andy Garcia Productions, Inc. 
Lillian is survived by her nine children, 26 grandchildren, and 18 great grandchildren, of whom she was so proud: daughter Judith Mowris of Janesville, son Gerald (Leah Sachtjen) Mowris of Madison, son Richard (Mary) Mowris of Rockford, IL, son David (Mona) Mowris of La Crosse, son Robert J. (Kathy Carlson) Mowris of Olympic Valley, CA, daughter Mary (Tom) Dohmeier of Glenview, IL, daughter Sue Mowris (Andy Garcia) of Verona, WI, daughter Kathryn (Marty) Aiken of Racine, WI, son Michael (Ivette) Mowris of Janesville; and her grandchildren Angela Dongarra, (her children Harrison, Grace and Teagan), Nicholas (Sara) Dongarra, (their children Cecelia and Jake), Amber (Brent) Seefeld (their children Abigail, Jaxon, Georgia and Cooper), Maya (Matt) Roherty (their daughter Ella), Anthony (Amber) Dongarra (their children Vincent, Lily and Jack), Danae (Matt) Nakoneczny (their children Amelia and Carina), Jeff Mowris, Peter Mowris, Anna (Tom) Murphy, Vanessa Mowris, Nicole (Joe) Hemenway, (their children Sam and Drew), Syd (Tara) Mathes (their daughter Zoey); Matthew Mowris, Katie Mowris, Sarah Mowris, Anna Mowris, Storm Dohmeier, Keeley Dohmeier, Taylor Dohmeier, Samantha Garcia, Sierra Garcia, Zachary Chase-Mowris, Alain Maya, Benny Mowris, Halle Mowris, and Nathan Mowris; as well as her sisters Millie (Walt) Hendrix, Dolly Kammer, Irene (Lee) Rising and Marion Vencill, and her brother Jerome (Judee) Zavoral and many nieces and nephews. Her parents, a sister, Dolores, and her brothers Ernest, Robert and Ronald preceded her in death. 
The family wishes to express our heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Hospice Alliance in Racine for their unfailing help in caring for our mom. 
Memorials may be made to the PSP (Progressive Supra-Nuclear) Organization online at www.curePSP.org or to Hospice Alliance at www.hospicealliance.org. A visitation was held at SCHNEIDER FUNERAL HOME in Janesville, WI, Tues. Apr.7. Funeral services were held on Wed. Apr. 8 at SCHNEIDER FUNERAL HOME.
No longer here in person, but always in our hearts, Lovingly with Love, Lilly M. "This is the day the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!"
 

Richards Publishing

P.O. Box 159
239 2nd Ave
Gonvick, MN 56644
Telephone: (218) 487-5225
email: richards@gvtel.com

 

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