Mulrenin, Louise A.
Age 89
Paw Paw
Louise Anna Mulrenin, 89, passed away December 7, 2013, at her home in Paw Paw. Louise was born May 10, 1924, in Chicago, to Louis and Minnie Krause. She was 15 when her family moved to Gliddenburg, outside of Paw Paw, where she graduated from high school in 1942. She then joined the Marine Corps to "Release a Man to Fight!" and was posted to San Francisco. In February, 1945, she met Marine PFC Charles Mulrenin, who was stateside after contracting malaria at Guadalcanal. They were married on September 15, 1945, and eventually returned to Paw Paw to raise their family. They had seven children: Mary Ann Ford, Paw Paw; Daniel Mulrenin, deceased; Patricia Gund, Carlsbad, CA; Kathleen (Tom) Soard, Carthage, TN; Peggy (Al Minetola) Mulrenin, Orange, VA; Kerry (Dale) Eldred, Lawton; and Thomas (Karen) Mulrenin, Union Bridge, MD. After Chuck passed away in 1977, Louise filled her time supporting Tom's BMX bike racing and volunteering in the community. She delivered Meals on Wheels for 25 years, and sewed and knitted doll clothes and baby sweaters for the Senior Bazaar over the years. She was a whiz at crossword puzzles and a loyal Detroit Tigers fan (though she'd sometimes keep WGN on in the background if the Cubs were on). She loved that her kids and grandkids were spread out across the country (and sometimes outside the country) so she could travel to visit them each time they moved to a new home. This included California, South Dakota, England, Nebraska, Hawaii, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, Illinois and Washington. She vacationed in Salzburg, Austria, and Disney World when she was 73. She saw the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam at age 82. Amtrak was her favorite mode of travel when she was on her own. She was very active until her recent health issues, and she has been a wonderful role model for how to live a great life.
Surviving in addition to her children are grandchildren: Shane (Renee) Deichman, Colorado Springs, CO; Glen (Danielle Dragan) Ford, Paw Paw; Erik (Amber) Buck, Bainbridge Island, WA; Ryan Gund, Carlsbad, CA; SrA Zachary Mulrenin (USAF), Osan Air Base, Korea; Cpl. Jacob (Katalina) Mulrenin (USMC), Yuma, AZ; Benjamin Mulrenin, Union Bridge, MD; great-grandchildren Kaley and Cameron Ford; Shelby, Jarrett and Sophie Deichman; Milo and Kegan Buck; as well as many granddoggers and grandcats.
Cremation has taken place. Family will receive friends Monday (12/16) from 11-12:30 at Adams Funeral Home, Paw Paw, with a time of sharing at 12:30. Private committal will take place at Prospect Hill Cemetery, Paw Paw, at a later date. Memorial contributions may be directed to Eleanor's Pantry in Paw Paw to help feed the homeless and hungry this holiday season.