Lorelynn J. (Bohm) Menacker

Per Maya Angelou’s best-selling book “All God’s Children Need Traveling Shoe’s”, let it be known: Lorelynn Jean Bohm Menacker has tied her shoe strings and is on her way.

Lori left life on earth on August 6th, 2018, a victim of pancreatic cancer that followed breast cancer a year before. Her son, David Felleti and daughter-in-law, Stephanie Buhl Felleti, along with grandchildren Emily and Christian, cared for her in their home during her final days with the help of JourneyCare Hospice and supportive family and friends. She passed away shortly after receiving the last rites by Father Ryan of St. Francis DeSales parish in Lake Zurich.

A young model, beauty queen, mother, nurturing grandmother, goofy lady, good friend; Lori was all of those and more.

She was born December 7th, 1946, in Columbus Hospital in Chicago to Alfred Rudolph Bohm and Lorraine Frances Helbock.  Alfred was a machinist, Lorraine a homemaker. She was baptized Catholic at St, Michael Church in Chicago on February 26th, 1947 (and years later confirmed there on October 22nd, 1954).  The family moved from Chicago to Culver, Indiana for a time where her grandparents, Rudolph and Hattie Bohm lived.  They later returned to Chicago where she attended Irving Park Grammar School and Carl Schurz High School in Chicago.

Although Lori had no siblings, she was surrounded by eight close-knit first cousins: Gloria, Carol, Cindy, Donna, Teddy Boy, Don, Bob, and Tom. If one of them wasn’t available she could find playmates among her ducks, squirrels, rabbits and dogs…Patches, Lady, Brandy, Rusty, Buttons, Dreyfus, Simba and Bosley are just a few of her lifelong furry friends.

While living in Culver she was a popular partner at Culver Military Academy cadet dances and hung out on Lake Maxinkuckee.  Lori blossomed into a striking beauty and began modeling for hair stylists, eventually moving into print ads for catalogs.

In the late ‘60’s and early ‘70’s Lori made several trips to visit her grandparents, Lillian and Leo McDonald, on their farm in Paris, Missouri.  Later, along with her father Alfred, son David, and his father Rich, she fished, picked grapes from the vines, and pumped water from the well while David rough-housed with the dogs.

In 1965 she married her first husband, Richard Felleti at St. Mary of The Lake Church in Chicago. She gave birth to the most beautiful baby boy in the world, a child without compare, David James Felleti, in 1966. Though she had no more children due to six miscarriages - she was a beloved aunt to many.

Lori and Rich lived on Lawndale Avenue from 1968 to 1976, and on Marmora Avenue from 1976 to 1985. They enjoyed traveling and often vacationed in the Wisconsin Dells, with trips to destinations like Florida and Canada.  They divorced in 1983.

On June 21st  1985 Lori married Mark S. Menacker, living in Chicago, Palatine and Lake Zurich until their divorce in 2006.

Son David married Stephanie Buhl, on June 15th, 1991, in Lincolnshire, Illinois. That union resulted in two perfect, wonderful, intelligent presents for Lori: Emily Renee Felleti in 1995 and Christian James Felleti in 1996. Lori cared for Emily and Christian while Stephanie and David worked. She treasured this time and the opportunity to be close to her grandchildren.

Lori never had trouble making friends with her spirit, smile and humor. She was an asset to the companies she worked for, including Darzi’s Fashion Shop in Chicago in the ‘70’s and ‘80’s; Diamond Mortgage in the mid ‘80’s; The Garden House of Furniture in Palatine where Lori met good friend Sylvia who eventually bought the store.

In the ‘90’s and early ’00’s she worked as a chiropractic assistant in Palatine then at La-Z-Boy Furniture in the ‘90’s until just prior to her death.  At La-Z-Boy she was a jewel for her company, well-loved by their customers and respected by management. She received outstanding performance awards as well as boosting the company’s bottom line.

Later in life Lori met Rich DeRon who would become her beloved companion and make her very happy to the end of her life.

Lori never cried during this battle and never asked “Why me?”.  She faced this challenge as she did all of life’s challenges, with strength, a sense of humor and a smile on her face.

Rest in peace, Lorelynn.

Memorial visitation for Lorelynn will be Sunday, August 12, 2018, from 1 PM until the 5 PM eulogy service, at Davenport Family Funeral Home and Crematory, 941 S. Old Rand Rd., Lake Zurich, IL 60047.