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Von Essen, Lucille
Lucille Von Essen, 93, of Cedar Rapids, formerly of Toronto, Iowa, and Mesa, Ariz., left this world to join God on Sunday, July 10, 2011, at West Ridge Care Center, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Visitation and luncheon will begin at noon Thursday, July 14, at Ascension Lutheran Church in Marion, with services beginning at 1:30 p.m. Private interment will be at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona. Arrangements by Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Marion.
Survivors include her sisters-in-law, Jeanette Von Essen of Marion, and Annabelle Von Essen of DeWitt; her special nieces and their families, who cared for her, Joan and Jack Dutton of Marion, Ida Mae and Darrell Ketelsen of Ankeny, Sandra and Bob Cronbaugh of Marengo, Teri and Tom St. John of Marion, and many nieces and nephews; and her special friends, Diane Evenson and Jeff Schweikart of Mesa, Ariz.
Lucille is survived by the many friends she has made because she touched many lives.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Fred; her sisters-in-law, Claudine (Richard) Licht and Marie Bartosh; and her brothers-in-law, Arnold Von Essen and Carl Von Essen.
Lucille was born July 2, 1918, the only child of Samuel A. and Josephine (Staley) Turner in Toronto, Iowa. Lucille and Fred Von Essen were married on Dec. 15, 1938, in Toronto, Iowa. They were married for 60 years until Fred's death on Dec. 1, 1999. Lucille came back to Iowa in December 2003 to be near her “honey bees.”
Lucille's family would like to thank the staff at West Ridge Care Center and St. Luke's Hospice. “Thank you” for making our “Queen Bee” comfortable throughout her stay and for assisting her to pass with dignity and grace.
We will miss our “Queen Bee” for her sweet smiles and positive giving attitude toward life. Love you “Queen Bee.”
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Ascension Lutheran Church in Marion or to St. Luke's Hospice, 290 Blairs Ferry Rd. NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402, in Lucille's memory.
Please sign the online guest book for Lucille at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.
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