Obituary of Felice Ann Lenz

FELICE A. LENZ age 85 of Verona, formerly of Jefferson passed away Friday March 11, 2011 at the Rest Haven Health Care Center in Verona. Felice Ann Freeman grew up in Springfield, Illinois with her four brothers, the children of Felice Josephine (Swords) and Arthur J. Freeman. After graduating from St. John's Nursing Academy in Springfield, her first job was as a nurse at St. Coletta School in Jefferson where her youngest brother Jerome was accepted as a student. One Friday evening while feasting on fried fish at Wedl's Wayside Inn a handsome young man, Joseph Edward Lenz sent a drink over to her table. They were married on August 28, 1948, and the rest is history. Felice was a working mom long before it became the norm. She spent early motherhood as a night nurse at the Watertown and Fort Atkinson hospitals and later returned to St. Coletta School as the Director of Medical Services. As her career progressed, she continued her education in the Medical Administration field and became the Administrator of the Alverno Cottages at St. Coletta School. She was a lifelong member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Jefferson and also a Franciscan Associate. Felice enjoyed many mental and physical activities; she was an avid bridge player, and crossword puzzle professional, preferred biking to driving a car, and could often be seen running on the country roads in Jefferson County. A fashion maven with a distinct point of view on how women should dress, Felice always wore full nurse regalia from head to toe (white shoes, starched uniform, and winged hat). She took her sense of style into church on Sundays where she became known for her magnificent hat collection. Felice Ann; now happily joins her husband Joseph, her parents, and three brothers: John, Lawrence, and Arthur, her baby sister, Mary Agnes in the "sweet hereafter". She is adored and will be deeply missed by her brother Jerome Freeman of Springfield IL, her four children: Maureen Ellsworth of Madison, WI, Thomas Lenz of Chicago, IL, Teresa (Richard) Alpert of London, England, Richard (Lori) Lenz of Deep River, CT, and her five grandchildren: Frances and William Ellsworth, Eve Alpert, and Josef and Edward Lenz. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday March 19, 2011 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Jefferson with the Rev. Thomas Coyle and Monsignor Terry Connors officiating. Burial will follow in the Parish cemetery. Visitation will be held on Saturday at the Church from 10:00a.m. until the time of Mass. The family has chosen memorials to be directed to the Alzheimer's Association of Southeastern Wisconsin, 1300 South Layton Boulevard, Milwaukee, WI 53215 or Wisconsin Public Radio, 821 University Ave, Madison, WI 53706. The family wishes to extend deep appreciation to the staff at Rest Haven Health Care Center in Verona and to the Wynwood Assisted Living in Madison for the wonderful care they gave to Felice.