Lorraine "Micki" Seufert Stockwell

Micki (Lorraine) Stockwell was born on December 14th, 1933 to George and Mary Seufert, in Chicago, Illinois. Micki was raised in the city, the seventh of eight children; Marianne, Norbert, Flo, Claire, George, Frank and Chuck. Her dad was known for including strangers, friends and family alike to holiday meals. Sadly, this big-hearted man passed away when Micki was young. Her mother continued the father's generosity and was described by Micki as happy, friendly and welcoming to everyone she met. These admirable traits were passed along to Micki. Growing up during the Depression, the family didn't have much but she would tell stories of swimming at the community pool, going to movies (sometimes even with a treat of White Castle burgers) and running around the neighborhood with her good friends. She attended St. Augustine school through grammar and high school, graduating in 1952 and excelled scholastically, particularly at Math. While growing up, some of her best friends were Marie Peach, Theresa Fosco and Pat Nowak.

While sunbathing on 55th Street Beach one day with her girlfriends, a handsome young army corporal named Leo Stockwell walked by and whistled. Her girlfriends were then history. Two years later, on July 17, 1954, Micki and Leo exchanged wedding vows at St. Augustine Church in Chicago. They spent their young married years living in the city close to the extended Seufert clan, enjoying spending time with their many nieces and nephews, brothers and sisters, aunts and Mom. They were married for five years before their family began to grow.

Micki and Leo had four children, Dan, Dave, Sandy, Sue, and then moved to the suburbs where they completed the Stock-tagon with two more children, Cindy and Paul. She was definitely not a push-over, keeping the half-dozen future-hoodlums in line, but with more humor and hugs than yelling. If you came home with a 95% on a 4th grade math test she'd ask you where the other 5% went. Mostly by her and Leo's example, she taught her kids to work hard, be honest, treat people kindly and get the most for your money. She could sniff out a deal like a hungry dog looking for a meaty bone, mainly out of necessity with all those hungry mongrels to feed. Her daughters have inherited her ability to clip the best coupons, find the greatest sales and guard their pennies from circling vultures of all ilk.

She sewed many a Halloween costume, giving the world cute cats, scary witches, Tweetie and Sylvester, Outer Space Aliens, funny clowns and many more. Annually she would bake more Christmas cookies than Mrs. Fields and gift them to neighbors and family. She loved the Christmas season and decorated the house from top to bottom with decorations, many that she crafted herself. She sewed tree skirts, wall hangings and stockings which will be treasured always by her kids and grandkids.

Micki and her family enjoyed many get-togethers over the years with her extended family for Communion, Graduation and Birthday celebrations. She spent her (very scarce) free time participating in the Woodridge Newcomers Club, a neighborhood Sewing Club and a Bowling League .... basically a way to get away from the herd of children with which she'd saddled herself (or when her Brandy Alexander supply ran low). Over the years she also enjoyed sewing, needlepoint, crocheting, bingo, Suduko, reading, Garage Sales and later in life, gardening. Micki shared her interests with friends and her kids alike. She enjoyed watching old movies and playing card-games and board-games with her family, seeing shows at Drury Lane Theater, and swimming in the family pool (but only when the water temperature hit 80 degrees). Eventually she got a part-time job at Montgomery Ward and worked there for over 15 years as a sales associate (for extra money ... and to get some peace-and-quiet).

She also shared her generous side with her community, volunteering with various organizations over the years such as Meals on Wheels and Saint Joan of Arc Market Day. She also contributed to many church programs such as Saint Vincent de Paul Clothing Drives, the Christmas Giving Tree and food for the PADS program. Micki was a member of St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, in Lisle, Illinois for 43 years, attending mass weekly, and all the kids were enthusiastic SJA Chargers !

Micki's favorite family vacations included visits to Miami Beach, Orlando, Niagra Falls, Malibu, Myrtle Beach, Las Vegas, Wisconsin Dells, Connecticut (to visit Grandma Stockwell), Cancun and a Mexican cruise (where "Margarita Micki" was born).

In her later years she and Leo spent their time enjoying visits with their adult children's families, with Leo hiding in the garage when the noise level hit an unendurable, ear-splitting height. Their seven grandchildren include Dan's kids - Howard, Bob, James and Shirley, and Dave's kids - Greg, Andy and Maggie.

They also enjoyed their not-quite-weekly casino trips covering venues in Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana, Minnesota and even as far as Las Vegas, Connecticut and North Dakota. (They even won occasionally encouraging future excursions.)

Micki and Leo were married for 57 years. Their love for each other included the usual nagging and occasional spats, but their love and friendship was always evident in their actions, particularly during the last few months when Leo supported her in every way a loving husband could. Their devotion will continuously serve as a shining example of a loving marriage, a model for their children and grandchildren to emulate.

In 2011 Micki was diagnosed with liver cancer and fought a brave battle to the end. Upon hearing the sad news, while holding hands, Leo looked at the love-of-his-life and told her that when she gets to heaven, "pick out a good spot for us ... maybe a nice bungalow" for when they would be together again.

She passed away at home surrounded by loving family on Friday morning, April 20, 2012.

She will be remembered for her quick wit, extensive winning streak at family card games, perpetual energy, stupendous Wheel of Fortune skills and endless supply of Kleenex tucked artfully up her sleeve ready to share with anyone in need. Not to mention her amazing Spaghetti Sauce, scrumptious chocolate cake, delicious Potato Salad, tasty Little Secret Christmas cookies and juicy meatloaf. Mostly, those who loved her will remember Micki for her endless generosity and boundless love for her family and friends.

Lorraine "Micki" Stockwell, nee Seufert, loving wife of Leo; devoted mother of Dan (Diana) Stockwell, Dave Stockwell, Sandra (Jim) Gudenkauf, Sue (Tim) Anderson, Cindy (Pete) Schroeder, and Paul (Jessica) Stockwell; cherished grandmother of Howard, Bob, James, Shirley, Gregory, Andy and Maggie; dear sister of the late Marion (late Bill), late Norbert, Claire, Flo (late Bob), late Frank (Beverly), George (Connie), and late Chuck (late Pat); dear former sister-in-law of the late Marie Seufert; fond aunt of many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mercy Home for Boys & Girls, 1140 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago , IL , 60607