Lucille Katarina Cerling

"Life is worth living as long as there is a laugh in it," author L.M. Montgomery once said.

Lucille Katarina Cerling was born Oct. 6, 1988, in Houston, Texas, with congenital muscle and joint defects that prevented her from almost any movement including speech. Yet she laughed often. A few years after her birth, Lucy and her family moved to rural Wykoff. Lucy attended grade school in Chatfield with the help of her special friend, Pam. She became known for her lively and friendly face which could always be counted on for a laugh. Her sense of humor brought joy to her friends, family and all of those who knew her.

At the age of 11, Lucy moved into a Hiawatha Homes group home in Rochester. Her many caregivers and housemates enjoyed Lucy's humor, her smiles and even sometimes her mischievousness. After graduating from Century High School, she spent many of her days at Opportunity Services in Rochester. Her day program managers there often remarked how Lucy changed everyone's lives for the better. While Lucy could not speak, her spirit touched everyone who knew her.

Lucy died peacefully at Saint Marys Hospital Tuesday, June 24, 2014, surrounded by her family and holding her parents' hands. She taught us much about patience, understanding and enjoying the simple things in life.

Lucy is survived by her mother, Teresa Ann (Norris) Cerling; her father, Roy Donald Cerling; her sisters, Amelia Maude Cerling and Clara May Cerling; a grandmother, Drucilla Norris; and a grandfather, Robert Cerling. She also leaves behind dozens of aunts, uncles, cousins and beloved house mates and friends at Hiawatha and Opportunity Services.

A memorial celebration will be held Friday, July 11, at 2:30 p.m. in the American Legion Room at the Chatfield Center for the Arts, 405 Main St. S., in Chatfield. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Hiawatha Homes Foundation, 1820 Valkyrie Drive N.W., 
Rochester, MN 55901.