Luella R. Mendini

Luella R. Mendini, 100, of Iron Mountain, MI, passed away on Sunday, October 3, 2021, at Evergreen Assisted Living in Kingsford. Luella was born August 31, 1921, in Crystal Falls, daughter of the late Binger Gustaf and Anna (Zoll) Lindholm. She graduated from Iron Mountain High School in 1939 and was a lifelong resident of the area. Luella married Camillo Mendini on November 30, 1939 at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Iron Mountain. He preceded her in death on January 26, 1992. Together they raised and nurtured a family of ten children. Church and her faith were an important part of her life. She was a life-long member of First Ev. Lutheran Church. As a member she participated in Bible Study, Women’s Circle, the Prayer Chain and many potlucks. Each year she spent weeks canning and freezing food for her family, even after her children were grown. Luella was also a well-known baker of homemade bread, rhubarb custard pie and other delicious baked goods. The annual ravioli making day at her home before Christmas each year was a day for family to learn the art of pasta making and when she handed down her pasta recipe. Luella was a hard worker and she enjoyed knitting, crocheting and making clothes for her children. Her competitive spirit made numerous card games with her children and their children full of laughter and teasing. She was active in the PTO/PTA when her children were in school. She enjoyed playing Bocce with anyone and was active in the Dickinson Area Bocce Assoc. from its beginning, going to the Senior Citizen Center and C&R dances, and water aerobics at the YMCA for many years until well into her 90s. Her determination and commitment to stay healthy continued with her morning exercises, outdoor walks when the weather permitted and her indoor “circle walks” around the house when she was unable to go outside. Luella was known for her beautiful fragrant flower gardens of iris and peonies just to name a few. Anyone was always welcome to pull a weed or two at any time- you never had to wait for an invitation! She was passionate about the news and politics of the day, enjoyed traveling and reading. Luella was a Packer fan and was disappointed when they did not play well. Most afternoons and evenings in the spring, summer and fall you would find her in her gazebo enjoying a good book, a few marshmallows, an ice cream cone or a Manhattan. Luella enjoyed going on adventures and was always on the search for the right pair of shoes and handbags. She found that the best way to travel was by plane and was still able to travel and enjoy her preferred method, to attend her daughter’s wedding in Washington in 2018. Luella had a wonderful sense of humor and kept us all in line with the “look” or a wag of her finger. She was a generous, kind woman who would do anything for her family and worried about each and every one of them – no matter how old we were. Luella is survived by her children, Bruce (Jackie) Mendini of Albany, NY, Diane (Dave) Lindberg of Florence, Ted (Sandy) Mendini of Iron Mountain, Christine (Mike) Hamlin of Norway, Mark Mendini of Iron Mountain, Martha (Jerry) Trepanier of Iron Mountain, Kelly (Sandi) Mendini of Sheboygan, WI and Bernadine (Sam) Thacker of Kingston, WA; two daughters-in-law, Penny Mendini and Melanie Mendini; 23 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren and 11 great-great grandchildren; as well as many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, Luella was preceded in death by two sons, Daniel and Allen; two daughters-in-law, Judy & Joyce Mendini; three brothers, Edwin, Bernard and Harold Lindholm; and three sisters, Beatrice Edwards, her twin Lucille Meinecke and Arline Rice. Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 9, 2021 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the First Lutheran Church in Iron Mountain with a funeral service to follow at 1:00 pm. Pastor Bryan Laurila will officiate. Burial will be in Iron Mountain Cemetery Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Backpack Ministry at First Lutheran Church. Luella’s family would like to thank the staff at Evergreen Assisted Living who she considered her “Evergreen Family” as well as Dr. Beth Schroeder, Dr. Kristi Olson and Dr. Jeff Hutchinson for the excellent care given to mom over the years. Condolences may be expressed to the family of Luella Mendini online at http://www.ernashfuneralhomes.com The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.

Luella R. Mendini

August 31, 1921 - October 3, 2021