Love, Lucille

Lucille Laura (Wozniak) Love passed away peacefully surrounded by family at her home in Weyauwega, Wisconsin on November 10, 2024.

Lucille was born March 16, 1935, in the small town of Athens, Wisconsin, to George and Regina (Reichl) Wozniak. She was the second of five children. Her father was a farmer and the town milkman. Lucille grew up experiencing the simple joys of rural life, gathering eggs, milking cows, and hunting mushrooms with her brother Glen. They made their own ketchup and raised their own chickens. They drew their blackout curtains during the war, and went to their beautiful Catholic church, St. Anthony’s, and every Sunday.

An excellent student, Lucille graduated from Athens High School in 1953, where she had been active in drama, played the drums in the school band, and attended Badger Girls State.

After graduation, Lucille moved to Milwaukee. She lived at the YWCA and worked at the Gas Company, a thoroughly modern young lady who earned her own living and played basketball and softball.

One fateful evening, when the Milwaukee Braves won the World Series and all of Milwaukee was out celebrating, Lucille met John Love, the man who would become her husband. “They met on the bridge…” goes the family lore, and the two were married on June 27, 1959. They spent their honeymoon at “The Cottage”, a family home on Lake Laura in Northern Wisconsin, a place she would return to many times with her children and grandchildren.

Lucille and John lived together for 65 happy years, raising six children, moving five times (once internationally), and not losing a single child along the way. Sharon, Rhonda, Donna, and John were born in Milwaukee; Susan and Carolyn were born in Minneapolis.

Life took an adventurous turn when John’s work took the family to Bogota, Colombia. A far cry from her central Wisconsin roots, Lucille embraced this new experience. The family traveled extensively, exploring archaeological sites, Central America, and the Amazon River. Lucille learned Spanish, immersed herself in the culture, and made many international friends.

Once back in the States, she settled her family into their home in Bayside, Wisconsin, and was active in her children’s schools, volunteering at both St. Eugene’s in Fox Point and Dominican High School in Whitefish Bay, from where all of her children graduated. She was a wonderful cook and made delicious, homemade meals for her family every day.

Lucille and John retired to the River House in Weyauwega, Wisconsin, their beautiful countryside home with a river for John to fish in, a large cottage garden, and myriad fruit trees. Days were spent volunteering with the Lionettes, the New London Women’s Club, and their parish, Most Precious Blood in New London.

Her family learned much from Lucille, who led by example. She was the most selfless, loving, and giving person. She never spoke poorly about anyone, ever. She tried to be positive and happy every single day. She also had an unwavering faith and special devotion to St. Joseph, which she shared with her children. Lucille also taught her children other important lessons: how to make a fantastic sweet roll (inherited from her mother, ask any of her kids for the recipe); when in doubt, to read Jane Austen; go to church; say your prayers and, most important, feel gratitude for every blessing.

Lucille is survived by her husband, John; five daughters: Sharon (Harold Slawik), Rhonda (Farzad Dibachi), Donna (Hamid Mohammadi), Susan (Michael Contardi), and Carolyn; and one son: John (Patricia). She is also survived by her grandchildren: Cecilia, Abigail, Alex (Erin), Franklin David (Laura), Rosie, Peter, Juliette, Charles, Ryan, and Sean; great-grandchildren: Eleanor, Johnny, and Grady; sisters: Carol (Doug Koffarnus) and Bonnie Anderson; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. Lucille is reunited in heaven with her parents, Regina and George, and siblings, Florence and Glen.

Visitation: Saturday, November 16, 2024 at 11:00 a.m.; Funeral Mass at 12:00 p.m. Most Precious Blood Catholic Church, 120 E Washington St, New London, Wisconsin. Burial: Sunday, November 17, 2024 at 11:30 a.m. Calvary Cemetery, Athens, Wisconsin.