Service Details
A combined Mass of Christian Burial for Lonnie and Gene will be celebrated on Monday, December 6, 2021, at 12:00 PM, noon at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 6400 Spring Street in Racine, with Rev. Yamid Blanco officiating. Interment follows at Holy Cross Cemetery, 5600 Holy Cross Road in Racine. A memorial luncheon will follow interment. Visitation will be at the Draeger-Langendorf funeral home, 4600 County Line Road in Mount Pleasant, WI on Sunday, December 5, 2021, from 12:00 Noon to 4:00 pm (Roma Lodge & Vittoria Colonna service at 2:45 pm) and in the church on Monday from 11:00 am -12:00 Noon.
You can witness the service on Monday at 12:00 noon via livestream by clicking on the link below:
Memorial Suggestions
Memorials to “Kenosha Special Olympics” have been suggested.
Racine – Lonita J. Cotteleer-Perrelle (“Lonnie”), 79, passed away peacefully at Ascension All Saints Hospital on Wednesday, November 24, 2021. Lonnie was born October 23, 1942, in Chicago, IL, to the late Samuel Serpe and Julia Jeanette (nee Haupt) Serpe. She lived in Melrose Park, Chicago, Palatine, and Prairie Grove, Illinois, before moving to Racine in 1994. At times, Lonnie made a winter home in Florida at the Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo and recently at the Summit Greens Adult Community in Clermont, FL.
On January 1, 1983, in Las Vegas, NV, Lonnie was united in marriage to her late husband Thomas “Tom” Cotteleer. Following Tom’s passing, Lonnie found love again, and on January 5, 2013, in St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, she married Eugene “Gene” Perrelle, who she preceded in death by just two days. Gene Perrelle passed away at Ascension All Saints on Friday, November 26, 2021.
Lonnie graduated from Trinity High School in River Forest, IL in 1960, and attended nursing school from 1960-1962. However, she found her career calling in the world of Information Technology –where she distinguished herself as a true pioneer for all women in that field. Lonnie served as the first female Computer Operator at CNA Insurance Company. She later worked at IBM. She then moved to a start-up called ‘Computer Technology’ in Skokie, IL, and then to ASI in Elk Grove Village, IL. Following ASI, Lonnie worked with her husband Tom Cotteleer at Amer-Cal Inc. in Arlington Heights, IL. She continued working with Tom at all their companies, including LBC Sports, Information Technology Group, and Performance Plus Inc. Many know that Lonnie also served as the ‘go to’ person for computer technical issues for any neighbor or community organization that knew enough to ask her for help.
Surviving Lonnie are her loving children, Jennifer Cotteleer, David (Amy) Cotteleer, Christopher (Tracie) Cotteleer, Mark (Angela) Cotteleer, James Randall “Randy” (Marisa) Cotteleer, and John Cotteleer; grandchildren (who affectionately called her Grandma and Grammoggie), Reilly, Luke, Jakob, Caitlin, Ryan, Andrew, Matthew, Laine, April, Grace, and Jaclyn; sisters: Mary (Wayne) Barto, Angela (Wayne) Kruzel, Florence (James) Orlik, Rose Ann Serpe and Camille (John) Becker; brothers: Michael (Diana) Serpe and Lawrence (Patty Harris) Serpe; sister-in-law Sue(Jerry)Oxenford; Nieces & Nephews: Lisa Mills, Jaime (Chris) Kruzel-Thomas, Kristen Michaels, Michele (Steven) Kruzel-Polanski, James (Lauren) Orlik, Erin (Craig) Fowles, Jessica (Brad) Osborn, Julia Opalinski, Samuel Serpe, James Serpe, Leo Serpe, and her Great Nieces and Nephews. Lonnie also leaves behind many other relatives and friends, too numerous to mention by name. We will all dearly miss her. Lonnie was preceded in death by her brothers, James Serpe and Mark (Roberta) Serpe; nieces Christine Serpe and Erica Barto Bald; parents, Samuel and Julia (nee: Haupt) Serpe; and brother-in-law Joseph (Marilyn) Cotteleer, and sister-in-law Anita (James) Serpe.
A combined Mass of Christian Burial for Lonnie and Gene will be celebrated on Monday, December 6, 2021, at 12:00 PM, noon at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 6400 Spring Street in Racine, with Rev. Yamid Blanco officiating. Interment follows at Holy Cross Cemetery, 5600 Holy Cross Road in Racine. A memorial luncheon will follow interment. Visitation will be at the Draeger-Langendorf funeral home, 4600 County Line Road in Mount Pleasant, WI on Sunday, December 5, 2021, from 12:00 Noon to 4:00 pm (Roma Lodge & Vittoria Colonna service at 2:45 pm) and in the church on Monday from 11:00 am -12:00 Noon. You can witness the service on Monday via livestream by clicking on the link located in Lonnie’s obituary on the Draeger-Langendorf website. Memorials to “Kenosha Special Olympics” have been suggested.
The family would like to offer their heartfelt condolences and thanks to the family of Gene Perrelle. We appreciate the support and collaboration received through this difficult period. We also offer a sincere note of thanks to Dr. Michael P. Mullane, Dr. Gregory M. Culen, Hospice Alliance, and BrightStar Healthcare for all their compassionate care and support during this past year. Finally, we offer a special thanks to our wonderful neighbors, family, and friends for the many acts of kindness extended during a difficult time. May God bless all of you.
Moe Beydoun says
John- my deepest sympathies and condolences to you and your family for your loss. You will always have the fond memories of your loved ones to comfort you during this difficult time.
Camille & John Becker says
Lonnie & Gene ~
The world won’t be the same without you! We are broken-hearted that you are no longer here but rejoice in the knowledge we will be together again some day!
Thanks for being such a caring big sister! I love you always! 😢♥️👼🏼👼🏼
Camille & John Becker
Ken Fredrickson says
Independent woman –
Very personable –
Very likeable –
Margaret & Terry says
God bless, they were wonderful neighbors while they were here with us in Clermont.
Linda Anderson says
My sincere condolences to the Cotteleer family of your double loss.
Mom will make something special for there arrival in heaven
Donna Nielsen says
So sorry. I played bocce with Lonnie. She was a nice lady.
Anonymous says
May they rest in peace and know my family as we feel the pains of loss I love and miss you and it is at this time I wish I did not live so far from you.
Jane Petrone says
My thoughts and prayers are with the families during this difficult time.
Lonnie was the eldest sister of my dearest friend. She was a kind, smart,
caring and strong woman, she will be missed by many! She will be in Heaven
for Christmas with all those she knew and loved and we can all be sure we
will see each other again someday and Rejoice!!
Shelli Meyer says
Lonnie brought light and life back into my Uncle Gene’s life after my Aunt Maryanne passed away. I am grateful and blessed to have had Lonnie become part of our family. Both Gene and Lonnie were blessed to find love again. Although this is an incredibly sad time, their passing together touched my heart forever.
Anonymous says
Camille, John, & Serpe Family ~
Sincere sympathy on your sister’s
passing. A first-class lady for sure!
Sending blessings to all of you.
Jill Tran
Phil Ferraro says
Growing up with the Cotteleer family, I have many fond memories throughout the years. Being friends with John Cotteleer since kindergarten, the Cotteleer home was my home away from home. I was fortunate to have met Lonnie when she was welcomed into the Cotteleer family when John and I were in grade school many years ago. I remember Lonnie as a very professional, structured and caring person who became a huge part of the Cotteleer through out the years. She will be missed!
Byron Holtzen says
John, so sorry to hear about your Mom. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Jill Tran says
Camille, John, & Serpe Family~
Sincere sympathy on the passing of your sister. A first-rate lady for sure.!Sending Blessings to all.
Jon Nordberg & Judy Proli says
Jon Nordberg
Judy Proli
Both of you will always be in our heart always. Thank you for being our friends God Be You
Rick Opalinski says
My prayers and condolences to all my sister in laws and brother in laws and the rest of the family. I wish you all the best under the sad circumstances miss you all.