Obit: Lewerenz, Elsa B. (1897 - 1982)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Lewerenz, Leist, Preuss, Volz, Hemerly, Cleven, Lass, Ryczek, Broad, Smith, Wolff

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 10/28/1982

Lewerenz, Elsa B. (28 July 1897 – 20 October 1982)

Elsa B. Lewerenz, 85, who with her husband operated a well-known sweet shop in Neillsville for a number of years, passed away in Neillsville Memorial Hospital on Wednesday evening, October 20.

The deceased was born on July 28, 1897, in Elroy to August and Bertha (Leist) Preuss. She received her education in Elroy schools. On May 15, 1917, she married Carl R. Lewerenz, Jr., in Elroy ceremonies; the couple then farmed in that area for a short time and later moved to LaValle.

In 1929, the Lewerenz family came to Neillsville where they owned and operated the Lewerenz Sweet Shop. She later did housework and babysitting for many people in the community. Since 1976, Mrs. Lewerenz had been a resident of Neillsville Memorial Home. She was a member of St. John’s Congregation.

Surviving her is a daughter, Mrs. Willie (Jean) Volz, Neillsville; two brothers, Rhinehart of Marshfield and Donald of Milwaukee, two sisters, Mrs. Emile Hemerly of Tomah and Mrs. Morris (Maria) Cleven of New Lisbon; nine grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband (February 22, 1965), two sons, Theodore and David; a daughter, Loraine; four brothers and four sisters.

Funeral services were held on Saturday afternoon, October 23, from St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Neillsville with Vicar John Wolff officiating. Music at the service was offered by Paul and Beth Tess. Serving as pallbearers were Robert and Kevin Lewerenz, Dennis Lass, Kenneth, Ryczek, Michael Broad and Michael Smith. Burial was made in the Elroy City Cemetery, the Gesche Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Attending the service were friends and family from Tomah, Marshall, Galesville, Kendall, Marshfield, Milwaukee, City Point, Wisconsin Rapids, Madison, Cambridge, and Mt. Prospect, Illinois.