Lucile (Diehl) Coenen passed away peacefully on October 28, 2016 at the age of 98. She was born in Stratford, Texas March 28, 1918 to Richard and Clara (Fischer) Diehl.


Growing up on the West Texas plains where her parents were cattle ranchers she experienced the first of the great dust storms that enveloped the panhandle in the 30's. At the age of eight after the sudden death of her mother, she and her three younger brothers moved to Wisconsin. Here they were welcomed into the home of their Aunt Kate (Fischer) and Uncle Herman Fuchs. Their own daughter, Lorene, was just seven months younger than Lucy, instantly embraced her new siblings. The Great Depression hit hard but there was always enough love to go around.


Being the oldest, Lucy felt a responsibility for her younger siblings which sparked a lifetime of genuine care and concern for others. She was generous with her time and talents of sewing, cooking/baking and gardening, and was happiest when she was helping others


She met the love of her life, Sylvester 'Doc' Coenen, when she took a job at his store, Coenen's Ice Cream Shop in Sauk City, he was a pharmacist there. They were wed on January 8, 1943 and spent 49 wonderful years together before his death. They raised three daughters, Sharon, Linda, and Bonita within this happy home.


Known as generous and loving, Lucy was asked to care for a little girl whose parents traveled often for their work. In this manner, eventually three little girls entered her life: Gail, Joyce and Lynn Fujioka. She cared for them as if they were her own and loved them unconditionally. Six girls in a house with one bathroom is a feat that Lucy gracefully accomplished as a master of organization.


Her greatest joy was her family and caring for them but she was also an active member of her community, serving on many local boards and particularly her church for many years. She was a people person in every sense of the word, and if someone was sick, lonely, in the nursing home, dying or needed attention in some way she was there to help. Volunteering in her later years was an important part of her life and she especially liked delivering Meals on Wheels. Her unwavering optimism allowed her to sow seeds of kindness, hope and love wherever she went.


Lucy was known for her incredible energy. She just never seemed to tire, whether it was dancing, golfing, shopping, or walking she could sustain a pace for hours that would leave others her age exhausted. In fact, she was in her 40's before she got her driver's license because until then she rode her bicycle everywhere she needed to go. Perhaps this explains her longevity.

Lucy is survived by her 3 daughters, Sharon (Ray) Kizer of Sauk City, WI, Linda Gourley of Shorewood Hills, WI, Bonita (Bob) Gillespie of Sherwood,WI, 5 grandchildren Kristin Kizer of Madison, WI, Kelly (Jeremy) Kizer Whitt of Sussex, WI, Kate (Mark) Gillespie Di Pietro of Sherwood, WI, Nathan Gourley of Boston, MA, Will (Holly Tamura) Gillespie of Oak Park, IL and 6 great grandchildren, Kaden and Lucy Whitt, Willow and Luca Di Pietro, Elise and Agatha Gillespie. She is further survived by numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.


She was preceded in death by her husband "Doc" Coenen, and 4 siblings Lorene (Erv) Sprecher, Albert, Roger and John Diehl.

Special thanks and gratitude to Maplewood Nursing Home for the expert and loving care provided over the years.

A funeral service will be held at 2 pm on Tuesday, November 1 at First United Church of Christ on Madison St. in Sauk City, with Pastor Bill Kapp officiating. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in the St Aloysius Cemetery. Reception to follow at the church.

"In our hearts forever"