Cora J. Wheaton, 98, of Houston, passed peacefully on April 2, 2018, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, Wis., surrounded by her children. Devoted to her family, Cora lived a full life, baking, gardening and quilting for her church’s mission projects well into her 90s. Cora was born to James and Clara (Storlie) Arneson with her twin sister, Corrine, on August 1, 1919, near Mabel. She grew up in the Caledonia and Spring Grove farming communities and graduated from Caledonia High School in 1938. She met Arthur Wheaton at the Avalon Ballroom in La Crosse, and they married in 1949. They raised five children: Linda, Glen, Arlene, Neil and Suzanne. They farmed in the Crystal Valley-Mound Prairie area before moving to Money Creek and later to Heritage Court of Valley View Healthcare and Rehab in Houston. Cora was an active member in the Women of the ELCA at Cross of Christ Lutheran Church, Houston, where she volunteered and baked lefse, pies, cakes and bars for many events.
Cora is survived by her children: Linda Wheaton (Amin Elmallah), Glen Wheaton, Arlene Wheaton (Greg Past), Neil (Sue) Wheaton and Suzanne Wheaton (Paul Williams); 10 grandchildren: Brad, Teresa, Jeff, Eric, Nicole, Danny, Amira, Sharif, Isaac and Elyse; 11 great-grandchildren, sisters Esther (Ray) Hahn and Gladys Johnson, brothers-in-law Paul (Sharon) Wheaton and John P. Wheaton, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by husband Art, brothers Orlin and Herman, and sisters Minerva and Corrine. A celebration of Cora’s life will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 7, at Cross of Christ Lutheran Church. Visitation will take place from 2-3 p.m. Memorials may be given to the Houston Community Food Shelf or the charity of your choice.
Hoff Funeral and Cremation Service in Houston, Minn., is assisting the family with arrangements.