Leona Mary Mascari

   BLOOMINGTON, IL. (FORMERLY OF RACINE) – Mrs. Leona M. Mascari, 102, passed away peacefully at her daughter’s home on Wednesday, July 13, 2011.

   She was born in Minneapolis on September 21, 1908, the daughter of Anton and Rose (nee: Hefter) Frey.  She moved to Racine in 1941 where she resided until moving to Bloomington, IL in 2001 to live with her daughter, Doris.

   On November 18, 1930, she married Vernon E. Dahlstrom in Shell Lake, WI.  He preceded her in death on October 6, 1971.  She married Russell Mascari on December 5, 1975 in Waukegan.  He preceded her in death on June 24, 1999.  

   Mrs. Mascari was a longtime member of Holy Name/St. Richard of Chichester Catholic Church where she participated in Christian Mothers.  She worked for Zahn’s Department Store from 1952-1963.    Mrs. Mascari especially enjoyed gardening, cooking, crocheting, traveling and Sunday afternoon dances with her late husband, Russell. 

   She is survived by her daughter, Doris Ipsen of Bloomington, IL; 8 Grandchildren, Steven (Lisa) Ipsen, Golden Valley, AZ., Julie (David) Wilson, Prescott, AZ., Jim (fiancé Tina Chappen) Smith, Pewaukee, WI., David (Ann) Ipsen, Broomfield, CO., Beth (Marty) Walsh, Pekin, IL., Paul (Barb) Ipsen, Bloomington, IL., Marylee (Ray) Chavez, Kissimmee, FL., Cathy (Kevin) Herrmann, Fremont, NH.; 16 Great-Grandchildren,  Carolynne (Brian) Scott, Bloomington, IL., Casse (Keith) Ramsey, Bloomington, IL., Christina Rodriguez, Kissimmee, FL., Fred Smith, Milwaukee, WI., Erik Rodrigues, Kissimmee, FL., Stephanie Rhoades, Annapolis, MD., Jeff Ipsen, Denver, CO., Greg Smith, Milwaukee, WI., Candi (Ryne) Paxton, Bloomington, IL., Todd Ipsen, Boulder, CO., Raymond Chavez, Kissimmee, FL.,Amy Wilson, Prescott, AZ., Zac Wilson, Prescott, AZ., Sierra Herrmann, Fremont, NH., Caleb Walsh, Pekin, IL., Haley Herrmann, Fremont, NH.; 10 Great-Great-Grandchildren, Alex Scott and Kaitlyn Scott,  Emmanuel Rodriguez and Zion Rodriguez, Aiden Lane and Gage Paxton, Kiley Ramsey, Jackson Ramsey, and Logan Ramsey, Calianna Chavez.  Also surviving are her sister, Irene Glessing; brother, Anton (Gloria) Frey;  sister-in-law, Catherine Frey all of Shell Lake, WI; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.   

   In addition to her husbands she was preceded in death by her daughter, Laverne Smith; son-in-law, Carl Ipsen; sister, Sally Olsen, brother, Oliver Frey, and brother-in-law, Elmer Glessing.

   Family and friends are invited to meet at St. Richard of Chichester Catholic Church (1509 Grand Ave. Racine, WI 53403) on Monday, July 18, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. for the celebration of Leona’s life and Mass of Christian Burial with Rev. Ronald Gramza officiating.  Her entombment will follow at Calvary Cemetery Garden Crypts.  There will be a visitation in the church from 10-11 a.m.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Richard of Chichester Catholic Church.  Leona was a loving wife, mother and grandmother who will be greatly missed.