Obituary
Lorna J. Southall
Lorna J. Southall, of West Salem, affectionately called “Meme”, a follower of Jesus Christ and lover of her family, succumbed to complications from COVID – 19 pneumonia on January 21, 2021. She was an RN for 45 years. The thing that mattered most to her was her family. She is survived by the love of her life, her husband, Benjamin F. Southall, Jr; son Joe (Beth) Stange and their children Zachary, Samuel, Emily and Garrett; daughter Kelly (Glenn) Fernandes and their children LizJoy, Elijah, Anna, Andrew and Seth; daughter Anne (Dean) Francini and their children Isaiah (Allison), Benjamin (Karrie) and Caden; and son Michael (Sheree) and his children Jaylen and Imani. She is also survived by her soon to be born great-grandson, whose name only she knew. Other surviving family members include her sister Joyce (Paul) Garness and their children John Garness and Julie (Mike) Garbisch; sister-in-law Dorothy Garbers and her children Terri (Scott) Wagner and Rich (Anne) Garbers; as well as a handful of great-nieces and nephews and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her brother Rich, her mother Elvera and her father Richard, who died before she was born. Mom’s final wish was to first be reunited with her dad whom she had not yet met. She looks forward to seeing her loved ones in heaven by knowing Jesus Christ.
Our family would like to thank the staff at Mayo Clinic Health System for caring for Mom during her time there. Even though Mom’s lungs were failing, she was fully present with us in mind and able to talk, laugh and help make her final preparations. In fact, she wrote her own obituary.
In lieu of flowers, honorariums are preferred to help cover medical expenses. You may mail these to First Free Church, 123 Mason Street, Onalaska, WI, 54650 with “attention Family of Lorna Southall” on the outside of the envelope. Please make the check payable to Ben Southall. Please do not write the check to First Free Church.
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, January 30, 2021, at First Free Church. Visitation is 9:30-11:00 AM. The service will begin at 11:30 AM. This celebration will be live streamed for those who cannot attend. It will be made public on the Facebook page of Kelly Southall Fernandes. Pastor Shane Holden is officiating. Coulee Region Cremation is assisting the family.
Lorna was the sweetest of ladies. God blessed me to be a part of knowing Lorna through Shepherd’s Flock Preschool. I taught many of her Grandchildren. She was always grateful and full of praise. She loved the Lord, she loved her children, Grandchildren and her husband. I am thankful that God put Lorna in my life…I will forever hold her in my heart. My thoughts and prayers are with all her family, as they are missing her. I pray God will hold you in His loving arms, give you strength and show you His love.❤️?❤️?
To all of Lorna’s family …thinking of you all at this sad time. Lorna was a true lady and will be missed by many. I got to know and enjoy her friendship in high school and later on when we both were involved in forming and getting the West Salem youth hockey off the ground. With deepest sympathy Vickie Holt ??♥️??
Dear Ben, Joe, Kelly, Anne, Michael, and Family. We are so shocked and saddened to hear that your lovely wife and mother has passed. Her beautiful legacy will live on through all of you. May it give you comfort knowing that she was welcomed into God’s loving arms. I am so happy that she will finally meet her dad. Enjoy sharing all of the tender and fun memories you all had with your wife and mom. She was a special lady. Sending prayers, love, and hugs. ??
Lorna was truly a phnomenel woman. She loved the lord and taught her family to likewise love and praise the almighty! She will be missed but never forgotten! Love ? the family of this wonderful person ❤️.L.C.
Lorna was kind and warm . She always had kind words to say. My prayers go out to the family.
Love you sister in law May the lord open the gates of heaven widely for you cause you truly are a child of God
Kelly and family. You are in our thoughts and prayers as you walk through this season of your life. Its never easy to lose a mother.
I worked with Lorna during my time Family and Children’s Center. She was everyone’s favorite. She made everyone feel so comfortable and welcome. All of the kids she worked with – even the toughest, most angry, and deeply traumatized kids- looked forward to checking in with and talking with Lorna. They could tell that she honestly care and wanted to help them. I cannot possibly imagine how many lives and families her light and caring energy has helped over her incredibly long career as an RN. She was just simply the best. Jesus has gotten back one of his most blessed, loving, and caring angels.
Rest In Power, dear Lorna.
My deepest condolences to all of her family and closest friends- her ever-present smile always shined brightest when she talked about the ones she loved.
Dear family it is so hard to lose someone you love, however, she is in her savior’s loving arms. Let those memories of time spent together warm your hearts until we all meet again. May God carry you during this difficult time.
Had the pleasure of working with Lorna at FCC. She was a wonderful caring woman. Prayers to her family and friends.
She was the best, Josh. The best. So kind and caring.
Ben, Joe, Kelly, Anne and Michael
Lorna will sure be remembered by many people as one of the kindest, giving people ever. Family was her number one priority. She just wanted everyone to be happy. I am so sorry for your tragic loss. Lots of love to your families.
Barb and Brian O’Leary
Our heart goes out to the family. Dennis and I worked with Ben and Lorna at Lakeview. I had also taken care of the kids when they were young.Lorna’s family was the most important part of her life. Prayers being sent to all you
Kelly so sorry for your families loss. She was a great woman. You are all in our prayers.
My sincere condolences Ben to you and your family. The last thing I expected was to see another friend from the past succumbing to Covid 19. Such a wicked virus taking so many wonderful people. I worked with Lorna and you too Ben. It was a pleasure working with you both at Lakeview in the 70’s & 80’s. Working with Lorna as a nurse back then I remember she was a very good person to work with and actually a group of us were good friends and spent alot of time with each other.
She will dearly be missed by all of you in the family along with her friends I’m sure. I’m sure her reunion with her father must have been magical for them both. Again I’ll put your family in my prayers, my sincerest sympathies. Paula Foster
Wish to express my sincere sympathy to family and friends.
We were so sorry to hear of your loss. She was always so kind and pleasant. You have our prayers and sympathy.
My thoughts are with all of you. I truly enjoyed every time I got to talk with Lorna. She was one of the kindest people I’ve ever known.
Our condolences to the beloved family of Lorna Southall….she was one special lady… she had a heart of gold. We rejoice with her family knowing she is now with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ…and her father. Our thoughts and prayers will continue to be with her family .
Lorna was a true gift from God. She graced so many people with her wisdom, kind heart, humor, her patience, and her grace. I had the greatest privilege of working with Lorna at FCC where she taught me the power of self care, how to build rapport with teens, and the power of quick wit, humor, and a kind heart. Thank you Lorna for all you have done and all the hearts you have touched.
Family of Lorna, please accept my sincere condolences. I became a friend of Lorna through the Y. We would swim at the same times and would usually exchange recipes and try to solve the world’s problems. I will always remember her kindness as she would ask me every time I saw her – “How is your husband?’ I can only guess what a fabulous nurse she was.
I am so saddened to see this. My heart goes out to all Lorna’s family and friends. We worked together at Lakeview many years ago as well. Lorna was always the calm in the storm. The same with Ben. Please accept my deepest condolence’s.
Rest In Peace my good friend, Lorna was one of the finest most caring nurses I had the honor to work with . I pray that God will give her family the strength they need to get through this difficult time
I hope and pray that all her family can look to the Lord for strength to get through this trying time. Thinking back on memories of her can sure help. I remember her telling me about her absolute LOVE for her Savior. It was so comforting to me knowing that she is HOME with Jesus. To all that loved her again I pray that you can have the faith knowing that we can all be together again in that Jubilee where no sin abounds, no diseases, no fear…just ETERNAL BLISS. To Ben, her kids and grandkids I’m thinking of you and MAY THE PEACE OF GOD BE WITH YOU!
Dear Ben and family,
You could not have been loved anymore than this lady loved you. You will be in my prayers and she will be in my thoughts. May her memory be eternal.
Lorna and I go a long way back. We worked together at Lakeview Health Center together in West Salem. She was a highly respected head nurse. A good person and friend. God speed. ❤️??
I first knew Lorna when working at Lakeview. I was fortunate to be co-workers with her again at Mayo. She interacted with any and everyone with so much patience and sincere kindness. Her ability to always be so compassionate and genuine in her soft spoken manner made me keenly aware of how truly unique she was. It made me strive to be that nice. (I never came close!) Ben, I’m so sorry for loss….too sad!!!
We are saddened to hear about Lorna. Our connection goes way back to when the kids were small and child care. She was always so friendly and warm.
All the years at FCC. You were always the sound of reason. I learned much from you. COVID has taken so much form us all and now it has taken one of my best friends. I had missed our lunches for the last year and now I guess I will miss them for a while longer. Now you are at peace.
Lorna will be sadly missed. May God Bless you and your Family
So sorry for your loss, Lorna welcomed me into her family. I spent alot of time at the house and on the river. Lorna will forever be a part of my childhood memories.
Dear Kelly and Family, I tried to find the on line streaming of Lorna’s funeral, but after a half hour of trying, I gave up. I am so disappointed I didn’t get to the funeral now, but my husband’s health is compromised and I didn’t dare take a chance with so many people possibly attending. I hope you got my sympathy card and message of how I will miss her at the Y swimming alongside me. She will not be forgotten for her Christian love and all the wonderful things she must have done for others. Again, I am so sorry for her loss, but know I will see her one day and heaven to give her needed hugs I couldn’t do with covid. Alyce Wehrenberg
Peace and prayers to you all, family. Thank you for the ability to share in Lorna’s Celebration of Life service today, even virtually. Many of us were blessed to be the recipients of Lorna’s talents, and who she was as a person, and nurse.
Elaine and I hold you up in our prayers. May God comfort you at this time.
I also have fond memories of Lorna at Lake View Health Care Center in West Salem. She always had a smile and snacks! She will surely be missed. A spark of light has left this world, but the stars are shining brighter with Lorna in Heaven!
Judy (Stern) Fisk
Dear Ben and Family of Lorna,
I just read of Lorna’s passing from my church’s newsletter and I want to offer my sincere condolences for your profound loss. I worked with Lorna @ FCC, she was such a warm and caring colleague and nurse.
My prayers for peace and comfort for her family, she loved you all very much!