Lila Mae Free, age 85, a resident of Manitowoc, entered eternal life on Thursday, December 28, 2023 at St. Mary’s Home at Felician Village in Manitowoc.
Lila was born on July 28, 1938 in Manitowoc to the late Lester and Clara (Funk) Rothmund. She graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 1956. On October 13, 1956, Lila married Elmer F. Free Jr. at Holy Innocents Catholic Church in Manitowoc. He preceded her in death on February 22, 2020. In addition to being a dedicated homemaker, Lila had worked as a bank teller at various banks, and also as a clerk for the city of Two Rivers. She enjoyed going on vacations with her family, trips to the casino, spending countless hours on the phone with her family and friends, celebrating the holidays with delicious meals she prepared, shopping, and above all, spending time with her family – especially her grandchildren.
Survivors include Lila’s three children, Lee (Julie) Free, Manitowoc; Joy Free, Wauwatosa; and Kim (Scott) Grenier, Manitowoc; four grandchildren; a great grandson; four step-grandchildren; sister, Joan Keehan, Manitowoc; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Leroy (Diane) Free, Manitowoc; Dan Free, Arizona; Janice Matte, Manitowoc; and Kathy Rothmund, Manitowoc; special friend, Don Cayemberg, Manitowoc; also nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Lila was preceded in death by her parents, Lester and Clara Rothmund; infant daughter, Sandra Lee; brother, Roger Rothmund; and sister, Lois Elliott.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, January 10, 2024 at St. Francis of Assisi on Waldo, 1121 North 14th Street, Manitowoc. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Doug LeCaptain with burial to follow at Evergreen Cemetery. A luncheon for family and friends will then be held at the Harrigan Parkside Gathering Center located on the south property of the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home. The family will greet relatives and friends at St. Francis of Assisi on Waldo on Wednesday, January 10, 2024 from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11 a.m. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harriganparksidefuneralhome.com
Lila’s family would like to extend their thanks and appreciation to the staffs of Holy Family Memorial Medical Center, St. Mary’s at Felician Village, and Sharon S. Richardson Hospice for all of the care and compassion they provided. Also, special thanks to Nancy Becker who has always been there to be of help to Lila and so many family members.
The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home and Crematory, North 11th and St. Clair streets, Manitowoc is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.
