Lilah Helen Adele (Haubrich) Donlon, 97, recently of Eden Prairie, MN, was called home to be with her Savior on May 15, 2014 at Wealshire of Bloomington (MN). Born on June 19, 1916 in Kenosha, WI, she was the daughter of the late Albert and Emilie (Kroll) Haubrich. She was baptized into the Christian faith on July 27, 1916 at Friedens Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenosha. On December 12, 1943 she was married to George F. Donlon, at Camp Wolters, Texas, while he was serving in the US Army. He preceded her in death on June 16, 1989.
Lilah was a Kenosha native and spent her early life here. During that time she was a member of Friedens Evangelical Lutheran Church and attended the Lutheran school. She was a 1934 graduate of Kenosha (Bradford) High School.
In 1960, Lilah and George embarked on a great adventure in their life and made a new home among the orange groves of Anaheim, California. She remained there for almost 50 years. More recently, in order to be closer to family, she lived in New Ulm and Eden Prairie, MN.
Lilah had two careers during her life, and was very proud of both of them. She worked as a seamstress for Coopers (Jockey International) in Kenosha. In the 1950s, she represented the company and she twice lived outside of the country teaching her skills to workers in both Mexico and Venezuela. After the move west in 1960, she began an enjoyable and successful career with the Automobile Club of California.
She was a member of the alumni associations of both Kenosha Bradford High School and the Auto Club of California. Most recently she was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church of New Ulm, MN.
Lilah traveled extensively, enjoyed good food, good music, lively conversation, and was an accomplished dancer. She was always a classy lady, a good sister, a loving aunt, and a loyal friend. She will be missed by many.
She is survived by a sister-in-law, Evelyn (Secor) Haubrich of Bismarck, ND, and cousins, Betty (Haubrich) Bruno of Kenosha, and Norrine (Wickham) Madsen of Lompoc, CA. She is further survived by nieces and nephews: Carol (the late Rev. Warren) Henrich, Audrey Hart, Ed Hart, Carol (the late John) Hoferitza, Karen (Larry) Jahnke, Rev. David (Mary) Dolan, Mary Beth (Thomas) Williams, Rev. John (Carol) Dolan, and Thomas (Carol) Kreuser. There are also many other grand nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, and also by four siblings: Norma (the late Carl "Kelly") Greening, Lucille (the late Joseph) Hart, Marvin Haubrich, and Doris (the late Henry "Harry") Dolan.
Funeral Services will be held on Friday, May 23, 2014 at 11:00AM at Friedens Evangelical Lutheran Church (5038 19th Ave., Kenosha) with the Rev. John Dolan officiating. Interment will take place at Sunset Ridge Memorial Park. A visitation for Lilah will be held at the church on May 23, from 10:00AM until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial remembrances may be made to Friedens Evangelical Lutheran Church or the Lutheran Home Association (337 South Meridian Street, Belle Plaine, MN 56011-1919).