Carol June (Illa) Moorhouse

Posted

Carol June (Illa) Moorhouse, age 91 of Cannon Falls, died peacefully on Wednesday morning, May 8, 2024 at her home at Cannon Rivers Senior Living.

Carol was born on June 13, 1932 in Crystal, North Dakota to Elmer and Cora (Wagner) Onstad. She graduated from Walsh County Ag School in Park River, ND in 1950.

Carol moved to the Twin Cities where she met and married Donald J. Illa on November 29, 1952 in Minneapolis, and they had five children. Carol was a homemaker, and when her children were all in school, she worked at Randolph Schools as head cook for 12 years. Don and Carol had a motor home and loved to travel, spending winters in Arizona. Don died unexpectedly on September 10, 1987. She then went to work at the Piccadilly Boutique in Cannon Falls prior to retiring.

Carol married Bob Engler on February 11, 1989. Bob and Carol shared their love of travel and purchased a winter home in Apache Junction, AZ. Bob died on August 6, 2004. She married Willis E. Moorhouse on November 26, 2007 at Randolph Baptist Church. Willis and Carol continued wintering in Arizona and traveling. Willis died on February 17, 2021.

All who knew Carol benefited from her love of cooking. Other interests included gardening, sewing, and crafting. Above all, she enjoyed spending time with her family and will be greatly missed.

Carol is survived by her children, Sandy (Mike) Wood, Kevin (Loralie) Illa, Deb Ohmann, and Mary (Joe) Gergen; daughter-in-law, Cindy Illa; 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; step children, Gary (Mary Kay) Moorhouse, Karen (Ken) Volkert, and Doug (Liz) Moorhouse; 8 step grandchildren and 9 step great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands; son, Keith on March 14, 2023; and siblings, Marjorie (Sam) Bornholdt, Merle (Marion) Onstad, and Doris (Larry) Larson.

Visitation was held on Tuesday, May 14 from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. at Lundberg Funeral Home in Cannon Falls. A private family service and burial was held.

Pallbearers were Mike Ohmann, Mitch Gergen, Kyle Illa, Ryan Illa, Max Mittelstaedt, and Adam Schoeneck.

Memorials are preferred to Alzheimer's Association, American Cancer Society or Parkinson's Foundation.

Arrangements by Lundberg Funeral Home, Cannon Falls. Online condolences may be directed to www.LundbergFuneral.com.