Lillian M. Musel's Obituary
Lillian Musel passed away Saturday March 4, 2023 in Clinton, IA at 100 years of age.
Born December 20, 1922 near Elberon, Iowa, she was the daughter of Fred and Lucille Parizek. She received her education in the country school, York #2, near her home and graduated from Elberon High School in 1940. Lillian was united in marriage to Lester Musel on January 6, 1942 at St. Mary's Church in Vining, Iowa. They welcomed son Larry and daughter JoAnn.
Lillian was active in school, community, and church. She and Lester were members of the Elberon and Belle Plaine Methodist Churches; and when Lillian moved to Clinton, she became a member of the Clinton Methodist Church. Lillian was active in the Methodist Women's Fellowship where she held various offices.
She became a member of the Rebekah Lodge in 1957 in Elberon, which later consolidated with Belle Plaine Lodge. When she later moved to Clinton, she joined Lodge #13 and American IOOF (Independent Order of Odd Fellows) Lodge #567. During these years she became very active having served as Iowa State Rebekah Assembly President and Iowa State Rebekah Secretary for 15 years. As a Rebekah, she traveled to many activities throughout the United Stated and Canada. Lester and Lillian went to Pasadena, CA in 1983 to help construct the IOOF float for the Rose Bowl Parade, then attended the parade and football game. In 1984, as Rebekah Assembly President, she had the honor of laying the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington, D.C. In 1993, she was a chaperone with the Rebekah Youth on their trip to the United Nations Educational Week in Washington, D.C.
After Moving to Clinton, she became a member of the PEO (Philanthropic Educational Organization). Lillian was a life-long quilter, making numerous quilts cherished by those lucky enough to receive them. She later made mini-quilts for Project Linus that are given to children in local hospitals.
Lester and Lillian enjoyed playing cards and belonged to many card clubs. Their favorite games were Pepper and 500. They also loved to travel throughout the United States and Canada. Two of their most memorable trips were countryside and farmland visits to Germany and France in 1978, and Australia and New Zealand in 1985.
After marriage, Lillian lived 64 years on the farm a mile from her birthplace until moving to The Regency Retirement Residency in 2006, and then to Prairie Hills Assisted Living in 2018.
Lillian was preceded in death by her husband, Lester on October 11, 1991; sisters Margaret, Bernice, and Ethel and brothers Stanley and Leland.
She is survived by her children Larry (Becky) of Clinton, Iowa and JoAnn (Bill) Schultz of Green Valley, Arizona; brother Vernon (Wilma), sister-in-law Beverly; 7 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, 6 great-great- grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Within our family, Lillian was famous for her kolaches. Everyone had their favorite - cherry, peach, poppy seed, or prune (with a slice of cheese on top - Lester's invention), but all can agree they were best eaten straight from the oven before she could even put them on the tray to cool!
Lester always ended every visit with a hug and, "See you in Sunday School". He's been waiting a long time to see Lillian again, and we know he welcomed her with a big smile and open arms to 'Sunday School'.
Funeral Services will be 11:00am, Friday, March 10, 2023 at United Methodist Church – Belle Plaine, Iowa. Visitation will be from 10:00am to the service time at the church. The Snell-Zornig Funeral Homes & Crematory is assisting the family.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to United Methodist Church in Belle Plaine in Lillian's honor.
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