Liola Marie Cornelius
Liola Marie Cornelius, age 102, peacefully passed away on November 21, 2023, at St. John’s Lutheran Home in Springfield, Minnesota. She was surrounded by family and friends in her last days.
Those that knew Liola knew she didn’t like being fussed over and would rather give than receive. There will be no public services but to honor Liola’s character, friends and family may send memorials to the American Legion Auxiliary or St. John’s Lutheran Home, both in Springfield, MN.
Liola Marie (Suprenant) Cornelius was born November 1, 1921, to Hector and Isabelle Suprenant in Tracy, Minnesota. She started her education by traveling in a horse-drawn buckboard to a one-room country school where the teacher taught her English. She graduated from Tracy High School in 1939. She married Willis Cornelius in Parkland, Maryland, on April 7, 1943. They moved to Springfield, Minnesota, in 1957. Willis died February 13, 1984. She never remarried and always knew she would be reunited with her first love someday.
Liola enjoyed helping children very much and made opportunities in her life to do so. She was a kitchen worker at Springfield Public School, and she also worked at St. Raphael Catholic School as a teacher’s aide. She was the chaplain of the American Legion Auxiliary for over 20 years and even had her own thrift store business with her best friend, Rita. Rita taught her how to drink tea, and her love for tea never left! It was always, “tea at 2 with Rita,” this was their ritual.
Liola’s main job, however, was to try and be the most loving Christian homemaker and housewife you could ever hope to meet! Her biggest attributes to live by were: Be frugal, be humble, and never feel sorry for yourself. She loved her grandchildren more than anything and supported them in any way possible.
Liola loved going for walks daily. She also loved to read, sew, and knit. She was very involved in the community and the church, making her house of worship St. Raphael Catholic Church, Springfield.
Liola is remembered for:
• Her red hair!
• Having peanut butter cookies....always!
• If you did a good deed for her, you always knew that she was going to bake for you! Best cupcakes ever.
• Her love for tea!
• Her smile, her contagious laugh, and her tiny appetite.
• The fact that she introduced her grandchildren to dirty potatoes. Which they will continue to make.
• Her heart was bigger than anyone’s.
• Her love for Jesus was amazing.
During her life in Springfield, Willis and Liola were blessed with five children and a large extended family. They are the late Jeanne Stoltenburg (husband Robert); the late Dick Cornelius (wife Barb); the late Jack Cornelius (once wed to Brenda (Lang) Sheldon); Willis Cornelius, Jr (wife Ann); and Ron Cornelius. Also, 12 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband Willis; her parents, Hector and Isabelle Suprenant; her children, Jack, Jeanne, and Dick; one grandchild, Brian, and siblings Glenn, Glenora (Fatt), Ernie, and Lenora.
She is survived by one sibling, LaVonne Allen; and two children, Willis Jr. and Ron.
God bless the memory of Liola Marie Cornelius. Her memory will be carried forward in the hearts and minds of her family!