Lenore Mae Sewell, age 88 of Prior Lake, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 22, 2023. A celebration of Lenore’s life will take place on Saturday, October 21, 2023 from 11-2 PM, with memory sharing beginning at 1:15 PM, all at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, 4565 Pleasant St. SE, Prior Lake.
Lenore was the third of five children born to parents Frank and Delia/Cecelia Phelps. She grew up in Danbury, Wisconsin. After graduating high school, Lenore began working at Greyhound Lines as a secretary. It was here that she met her husband, Jerry. The pair were married in 1964 and moved from South Minneapolis to Prior Lake in 1972. Lenore had one child, Theresa, from a previous relationship. J erry and Lenore had two children together, Marc and Kathleen. The family has many fond memories of time spent together camping and fishing. Their annual fishing trip up to Bearskin Lake near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area is one of the most memorable.
As her children got older, Lenore was delighted to become a grandma. She loved spending time spoiling her grandchildren and was always so proud of their accomplishments! When she wasn’t outside fishing, camping, watching her granddaughter’s softball games or keeping an eye out for eagles, Lenore could be found watching the Minnesota Twins, crocheting, playing cribbage or pinochle with her family and friends or bowling. She was an avid bowler for over 40 years. Lenore loved words! Scrabble and crossword puzzles were 2 of her favorite word games. She admitted to reading the dictionary for fun when she was young! She has also always loved music, both listening to and playing. Her dad bought her an accordion when she was young, and the family has lots of memories of listening to her play.
Lenore is survived by her children Theresa Phelps Stromberg, Marc (Alex) Sewell, and Kathleen (Pat Thelemann) Schmitz; grandchildren Jennifer (Luke) Freeman, Ryan Awes, Scott Stromberg, Aidan Atkinson, Kristy (Rusty Douglas) Schmitz; great-grandchildren Alice, Thomas, Agatha, Malaki, Liam, Greyson and Austyn; brother Robert (Rosemary) Phelps; many other relatives and friends.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Jerry; sister Mary Koessel; brother Frank Phelps Jr.; infant sister Dorothy Phelps, and her parents.
Memorials are preferred to the Alzheimer’s Association:
https://www.alz.org/mnnd?form=alz_donate
