Priscilla Jeanne Lundgren

Priscilla (Perky) Jeanne Lundgren, 93, passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2015, at home in Saint Cloud, Fla. A memorial service took place on Sunday, Oct. 11, at Fisk Funeral Home in Saint Cloud, followed by a burial service on Wednesday, Oct. 14, at Greenwood Cemetery in Amherst, Wis. Priscilla is survived by her sisters, Ella Lewis of Clintonville, Wis., and Margaret (Peggy) Enslow of Lisle, Ill.; daughter Cathy Benson and husband, Richard, of Saint Cloud, Fla.; son Curtis Lundgren and wife, Ruth, of Winfield, Ill.; nieces Nancy Carlson, Carol Loftus, Melodye Peterson, and Janet Fountain; nephews Mark Peterson, John Hewitt, and Dave Hewitt; granddaughter Emily Gomez and husband, Jesus; grandson Matthew Benson and wife, Amy; granddaughter Sarah Caiazzo and husband, Anthony; grandson Nathan Benson and wife, Emily; grandson Jonathan Lundgren; and great-grandchildren Alexa, Elliot, Andrew, Eliza, Benjamin, Zachary, Eli, and Cole. Priscilla Jeanne Curtis was born in 1922 to Lloyd and Mae (Hart) Curtis in Fond Du Lac, Wis. She grew up in Waupaca, Wis., and went on to marry Harold Lundgren in 1940 at the age of 18. They began their married life in Chicago, welcoming daughter Cathy in June of 1947. The family moved to Warrenville, Ill., in 1950 and welcomed son Curtis three years later. Priscilla was no stranger to hard work. As a teenager, she helped take care of her younger siblings, and while raising her own family, she worked in the laundry department at Geneva Community Hospital and as a sales clerk at a Jewel grocery store in Naperville, Ill. In later years, she worked for her son’s company, Curtis Bruce Agency. After raising their children, Priscilla and Harold moved to Wisconsin, eventually settling in the cottage on Long Lake in Clintonville. Their home on the lake became the epicenter for family summers and vacations, a place where their grandchildren caught their first fish, learned to swim, and created lifelong memories. A loving and devoted wife, Priscilla nursed Harold after his stroke in 1978 and remained by his side until his passing in 1987. Now, after nearly 28 years apart, Priscilla and Harold are finally reunited. In December 2004, Priscilla moved to Florida, just in time for the birth of her first great-grandchild, Alexa. In the decade that followed, she saw the arrival of seven more great-grandchildren. When she wasn’t spending time with her growing family, Priscilla was active at Good Samaritan Village community, volunteering at the library and organizing card games and activities. She was also an active member of Good Samaritan Community Church. Despite coming of age during the Great Depression and experiencing many challenges throughout her life, Priscilla exuded positivity and optimism -- her giving spirit always able to cheer up those lucky enough to experience it. She brought warmth, wisdom, and a sense of humor, brightening get-togethers, Christmases, and Thanksgivings. She had a deep and humble faith. She was always generous with her time and had a kind, giving heart. She loved to bake for others, making cookies and her famous pies from scratch. Her quiet, gentle demeanor found a natural home in patient hobbies like bird watching and gardening. She loved reading books and poetry. After her move to Florida, she enjoyed annual overnight trips to the Atlantic Ocean. Priscilla graced this world as a truly Christlike example of unconditional love, humility, and generosity. We were blessed to have known her, and she will remain forever in our hearts, a shining example of life beautifully lived.

Priscilla Jeanne Lundgren

August 24, 1922 - October 7, 2015