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Aug. 22, 1925-April 5, 2024

 

Lorna Edith Mourning, 98, a life-long resident of Cassopolis, died peacefully in the early morning of Friday, April 5, 2024.
The life of this wonderful lady who loved family and friends and never met a stranger, began Aug. 22, 1925 in Cassopolis, Michigan, the youngest of fourteen children born to Loda and Alma Haines. She recalled the many happy moments spent with family as she grew up on a working farm with twelve brothers and one sister. Her parents were very proud of their farm and being able to live off the land. They would often comment about how blessed they were, especially during the depression, to be able to care for their family, with pigs, chickens, cows, and even a mule, as well as raising crops. Friends would often comment about how much joy they received from hearing her recount the stories of the early days and how well her family persevered despite the hardships. She married John Leslie Mourning in Cassopolis, Michigan July 9, 1946. After more than seventy years of marriage, he preceded her in death in 2016.
Family has always been the top priority for Lorna, whose deep love of children started at a young age. She always wanted to be a teacher and became a teacher’s aide for Cassopolis Public Schools where she retired after twenty-six years. Even as adults, former students would often greet her and give her a big hug. The children enjoyed her and showed her much respect because she was kind, fair and respectful to them.
Lorna was a devoted Christian, hard worker, excellent cook, and gardener who, over the years, canned a lot of her garden goodies and loved to travel to nearby orchards to pick cherries, apples, and peaches. Many who have eaten her pies and cobblers know they are one of the truly delicious homemaking trademarks.
Lorna was well known in the community and participated in many community events. She was a member of the Cosmopolitan Club, which conducted fundraisers to provide college scholarships to local high school seniors. If you would ask her the key to longevity she would tell you, “Staying active, eating garlic, using apple cider vinegar, and living a Christian life.”
Lorna will be greatly missed by family and friends. She is survived by her daughter, Juanita Curtis; her son, John H. Mourning; three grandchildren, Laura Marroquin, Brian (Heather) Taylor, Daniel P. (Rebecca Fisette) Mourning; six great grandchildren, Ian Mourning, Kayana Gamble, Taylor Emerson, (and their mother, Charmayne Mourning), Daniel A. Mourning, Aleksander Mourning, Josh Kling, Aria Marroquin, Zander Marroquin, Emma Taylor; and a host of nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; one son-in-law, Robert Curtis; and thirteen siblings.
Family and friends will gather Monday, April 15, 2024, from 10 a.m. until time of service at 11 a.m., in Calvin Community Church, 18770 Mt. Zion Street, Cassopolis. Mrs. Mourning will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband in Calvin Community Cemetery in Calvin Township.
The family prefers contributions in memory of Lorna be made to either Cass County Medical Care Facility, 23770 Hospital Street, Cassopolis, Michigan 49031, or, Heartland Hospice, 8075 Creekside Drive, #120, Portage, Michigan 49024.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Wagner Family Funerals Connelly Chapel, Cassopolis. Please share a memory or a message online: wagnercares.com.