Lydia Tennessen-Perger

Lydia Pearl Hladish Tennessen Perger, age 97, a resident at Heartland House in Wautoma, passed away peacefully at home early on July 9, 2015 under the care of Hospice Hope. She was born July 5, 1918 in Catawba, Wisconsin to Anton and Francis Hladish. She married Joseph Tennessen on June 12, 1940. They had three children - Charlotte, Virginia, and Kenneth. She was a homemaker who made delicious meals and Bohemian pastries still talked about by her family. After the death of her husband in 1972, she worked at the Ladysmith Hospital. She later married Jerry Perger and lived in Phillips, WI, Brooksville, FL, Peachtree City, GA, and Lombard, IL. After the death of her husband Jerry, she moved to Wautoma to be near her son Ken and his family. Lydia was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Wautoma. Her greatest enjoyment was making people smile. She made friends easily and touched the lives of everyone she met. She also enjoyed knitting, reading and writing cards to her family and friends. She designed and made many of the cards she sent. She enjoyed participating in many activities offered at Heartland House, especially Bingo and knitting with Anna, one of her dear friends.

Lydia is survived by her daughter: Virginia (Rick) Taft; her son Ken (Sandi) Tennessen; her grandsons: Jeff (Angela) Tennessen, Greg Tennessen; her great-granddaughter: Riley Tennessen; her brother: Emil Hladish and many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Joseph; daughter, Charlotte, sister, Josephine; brother, Louis; second husband Jerry.

Visitation will be on Friday, July 17, 2015 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wautoma, from 10:00 am until the time of the funeral mass at 11:00 am. The Leikness Funeral Home of Wautoma assisted the family with arrangements. Visit www.leiknessfuneralhome.com to offer on-line condolences.