Alice L. Lennon

Thursday, April 4, 2019 4:06 pm

Alice L. Lennon, 104, of Decorah, died Tuesday evening, April 2, 2019, at Wellington Place in Decorah. Funeral services were at 11 a.m. Monday, April 8, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Decorah, with Rev. Melissa Bills officiating. Burial was in Phelps Cemetery in Decorah. Visitation began at 10 a.m. Monday, one hour before the service, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Casket bearers were Alice’s six great-grandchildren: Kelsey Blank, Taylor Blank, Carson Lennon, Jake Lennon, Jacey Lennon and Makenna Lennon.

Alice (Lee) Lennon was born June 16, 1914, which makes her a young 104 years. She was born near Ossian, the daughter of Lewis and Clara (Anderson) Lee. Alice had one older sister, Esther, whom everyone called Pat. Pat lived in Milwaukee later in her life. Alice and her sister were very close. Alice’s dad had an implement shop in Ossian and sold Maytag washing machines, parts for milking machines and farm equipment. Her parents later moved to Ossian. Alice went to school at the Ossian Public school. She remembers walking to school, playing jacks and sitting across from a cute little girl. She doesn’t remember her name but remembers she was cute! Alice also remembers playing on the swings at school and stated she really liked school. Her favorite class in school was arithmetic and her favorite teacher was Loretta McGreary. Alice’s son, David has a book of Alice’s dated Feb. 18, 1929, that is signed by the 11 students that were in Alice’s class. In her freshman and sophomore year she played guard in basketball. She graduated from Ossian High School and attended many class reunions. In 1930, Alice started going to dances in the area. In her diary she wrote she went to dances in Spillville, Postville, Ossian and Clermont. She even wrote down who she danced with! It was at a dance in Spillville she met her future husband, Donald Lennon. Alice and Don were united in marriage at her parents’ house in Ossian Nov. 17, 1934. Gladys Becker and Roselyn Riveland were her attendants and they wore gold dresses. Alice stated she bought her wedding dress in Decorah. To this union, one son was born, David. Alice describes David as “my pride and joy.”

Don was a Coca-Cola salesman for many years. Later he sold Curtis candy and Dolly Madison ice cream. David remembers a lot of Curtis candy stored in their garage and eating a lot of Dolly Madison ice cream! Don then became a salesman for Dahly Chevrolet in Decorah, and retired from that sales position.

Alice started working at the Ossian bank while she was still in school. Fred Figgy was her boss. She remembers everyone getting along great and enjoyed working there. After she was married she worked at the Security Bank and Trust in Decorah and eventually retired from there. She became friends with Edith Grimstad, from the Decorah Bank and Trust, and served on their Board of Directors.

Alice and Don loved to golf. They golfed a lot at Sandgreen which later became Silver Crest Golf and Country Club. Then they joined Oneota Golf & Country Club and were long-time members. David remembers spending a lot of time as a child at the golf course at fund raisers and other special events. And you knew not to mess with her Tuesday afternoons, dedicated to playing in the women’s league. It was always a highlight for her grandchildren to play a round with her and get to ride in Grandma’s golf cart. Alice loved knitting for many years; lots of hats, mittens, scarves and afghans were made and given to others. She has been an avid reader her whole life and read a lot of good books. Alice was a member of First Lutheran Church, where she taught Sunday school for many years, was a deaconess and president of the Ladies WELCA, and was involved in various aspects of the church. She enjoyed playing poker with all her wonderful girlfriends and playing many hands of rummy with her grandchildren … her coin purse was always the fullest at the end. She loved flowers, especially her rose bushes and always had a beautiful flower on the table. She loved the foods from her Norwegian heritage like lefse, lutefisk and for sure the wonderful sweets like krumkake.

Alice was always crazy about dogs, especially their Boston Terrier, Beno. David said Beno was sitting in the front window of the Woolworth clothing store in down town Decorah so they had to bring him home in a box. Alice’s husband had asthma so the doctor recommended they move to Colorado to help his breathing.

Alice’s dad took care of Beno in Iowa. The family missed the beloved pet so much they had Grandpa Lee ship Beno to Colorado! Don’s asthma never got any better in Colorado so after a year they moved back. You can bet they brought Beno with them!

When asked for her words of wisdom for living as long as she has, Alice laughed and said, “everyone wants to know that!” Alice stated she had had a good life and her motto had always been to believe in God and realize he is in command. He is smarter than all of us, she laughed. She also stated it is important to have friends in your life.

Alice is survived by her son, David Lennon, of Hutchinson, Minn.; three grandchildren: Jeff (Jan) Lennon of Robbinsdale, Minn., Brenda (Robert) Blank of St. Michael, Minn. and Chad Lennon of Minnetrista, Minn.; and six great-grandchildren: Kelsey Blank, Taylor Blank, Carson Lennon, Jake Lennon, Jacey Lennon and Makenna Lennon.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald, Feb. 3, 1994; her parents, Lewis and Clara Lee; one sister and brother-in-law, Esther and Danny Holmes from Milwaukee; and her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Eddie and Francis Nugent of Decorah.

The family would like to recognize the wonderful staff at Wellington Place for the loving, compassionate care she received from April 3, 2014-April 2, 2019.

Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah is serving the family.

Online condolences may be made at fjelstul.com.