Luwana Ann Rederer of Chetek passed away peacefully and surrounded with love on Wednesday, March 30, 2022, at her home.

Born in Sand Creek Wisconsin on August  25, 1934, to Selmer Severson and Beatrice Wheeler Severson she was baptized and confirmed at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Sand Creek. A church that her Norwegian grandfather and great grandfather helped build. She always had a strong faith in the Lord.

Luwana was blessed to grow up in a small town with a loving family. Her parents owned Severson‘s Grocery Store (the Norwegian one) and she spent many many days there as a child eating five cent ice cream cones and penny candy. She always delighted in telling stories of what it was like back then and how big boxes of Christmas candy and wooden pails of lutefisk would come in around Christmas time.

At the age of four she lost her hearing due to scarlet fever and thus attended deaf schools in Rice Lake, Eau Claire, and then later in Delevan. Her father would fly her back-and-forth to Delevan when possible in his single-engine plane, which she enjoyed immensely.

In 1956 after seeing her picture in the paper as newly crowned Miss Sand Creek, she was swept off her feet by a very good-looking man that came roaring down her driveway on a Harley Davidson motorcycle. It wasn’t too much later than she married her husband Paul Rederer. Later her daughters Paula and Brenda would be born to them along with a beloved grandson, Paul. For most of their life, they resided in the Chetek area where they made a comfortable home for themselves and one which they took pride in.

Luwana loved watching her birds and squirrels and one of the requirements of being a child or caretaker of hers was to make sure they were fed. Nobody went through more cans of cat food than she did, as her cats were fed three times a day whether they wanted it or not. She knew exactly how many squirrels came to her feeder and whether they were black or grey. No chance anything furred or feathered was going to go hungry at her house! She was once caught leaving water and sunflower seeds out for a garage mouse. And although she wasn’t the best of cooks as her family could attest to, she was an immaculate housekeeper.

Mom was always willing and ready to show visitors pictures of her past, and of her family. She was also very proud of the fact that she was going to be 88 in August. In her later life she delighted in watching ‘My 600 Pound Life’ and would make anybody in the house at the time, including her Hospice nurses sit down and watch it with her. She had a gentle innocent soul, and was exceptionally honest. Mom was an excellent mother and will be forever missed.

Preceded in death by parents Selmer and Beatrice Severson, husband Paul Rederer, sister Darlene (Willard) Waterhouse, grandson Paul Richard Rederer, and daughter Paula Rederer.  Survived by daughter Brenda Rederer, brother Mike Severson and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. Special people include Chloe Caterer, Teresa Davis, Jeff Carlsen, cats Mobile, Jynx, and her favorite, Rascal,,, also known as Ah-da-da. A very special thank you to the Hospice team who cared for her and loved her, and most especially for Michael Clint and Tanya Bronstad who made her life so much better by being in it.

No public services are being planned.

Last Update: Apr 01, 2022 7:34 am CDT