Laura L. Lestina Age 92 of Wilmington, passed away Saturday, May 25, 2019 at Presence St. Joseph Medical Center in Joliet. Born November 23, 1926 in Custer Park, Illinois, Laura Louise was a daughter of Peter and Alice (Davy) Larsen. She was raised and educated in Custer Park and graduated from Wilmington High School. On April 4, 1948, Laura married Frederick “Lefty” Lestina in the First Presbyterian Church in Wilmington. Together they made their home and raised their family in Florence Township. Laura was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Wilmington and belonged to the Florence Township Community Club. She loved flowers and music, and was instrumental in her children’s pursuit of their musical talents. Laura will be remembered for making and sharing family favorite recipes that were enjoyed at family gatherings, and she also took pleasure in knitting. Family was always of utmost importance to Laura. She was extremely proud of her children and grandchildren, their accomplishments, and their close knit relationship. Survivors include her four children: Fred (Irene) Lestina of Morris, Gary (Sherri) Lestina of Joliet, Loralyn (Dennis) Wilhelmi of Buckingham and Lisa Lestina of Wilmington; grandchildren: Jacob (Tina) Lestina of Morris, Jason (Kelly) Lestina of Aurora, Melissa (Craig) Ball of Oswego, Matthew (Michelle) Wilhelmi of Parnell, Iowa and Chris (Lanae) Wilhelmi of New Prague, Minnesota; great grandchildren: Anna and Sam Lestina and Connor and Owen Ball; two brothers-in-law, Keith Thomas and George Lestina and numerous nieces and nephews. Laura was preceded in death by her parents; husband Fred “Lefty” Lestina and siblings: Carl Larsen, Donald (Mary) Larsen, Alice (Mike) Grygiel, Dorothy Thomas and Phyllis (Larry) Whitlow. The family will receive friends for a visitation at the First United Methodist Church, 401 East Kahler Road in Wilmington on Wednesday, May 29, 2019 between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will follow Thursday morning, May 30, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. in the church with Reverend Harriette Cross officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Wilmington, where Laura will be laid to rest with her late husband. Pallbearers will be: Jacob Lestina, Jason Lestina, Matt Wilhelmi, Chris Wilhelmi, Jeff Grygiel and Mark Thomas. Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Laura’s memory to the First United Methodist Church of Wilmington, 401 East Kahler Road, Wilmington, IL 60481. Family and friends may sign the guest book, upload photographs or share Laura’s memorial page online by logging onto: www.BaskervilleFuneral.com/notices/Laura-Lestina. Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Baskerville Funeral Home in Wilmington. (815-476-2181)
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Laura L Larsen Lestina November 23 1926 May 25 2019 (age 92).
Death notice for the town of: Morris, state: Illinois
Our deepest sympathy to the family. We will remember the family reunion at the family farm. I will always remember Loralyn and Lisa always making sure that their Mother’s hair always looked nice even when she became ill. I will always remember seeing Lisa in Wilmington driving to McDonalds to get her mother something that she would eat. I remember Adam meeting Christopher at your Mom’s to go trick or treating in Wilmington. Our prayers are with you all.