
Lenore Mae Sewell, age 88 of Prior Lake, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 22, 2023. A celebration of Lenore’s life will take place on Saturday, October 21, 2023 from 11-2 PM, with memory sharing beginning at 1:15 PM, all at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, 4565 Pleasant St. SE, Prior Lake.
Lenore was the third of five children born to parents Frank and Delia/Cecelia Phelps. She grew up in Danbury, Wisconsin. After graduating high school, Lenore began working at Greyhound Lines as a secretary. It was here that she met her husband, Jerry. The pair were married in 1964 and moved from South Minneapolis to Prior Lake in 1972. Lenore had one child, Theresa, from a previous relationship. Jerry and Lenore had two children together, Marc and Kathleen. The family has many fond memories of time spent together camping and fishing. Their annual fishing trip up to Bearskin Lake near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area is one of the most memorable.
As her children got older, Lenore was delighted to become a grandma. She loved spending time spoiling her grandchildren and was always so proud of their accomplishments! When she wasn’t outside fishing, camping, watching her granddaughter’s softball games or keeping an eye out for eagles, Lenore could be found watching the Minnesota Twins, crocheting, playing cribbage or pinochle with her family and friends or bowling. She was an avid bowler for over 40 years. Lenore loved words! Scrabble and crossword puzzles were 2 of her favorite word games. She admitted to reading the dictionary for fun when she was young! She has also always loved music, both listening to and playing. Her dad bought her an accordion when she was young, and the family has lots of memories of listening to her play.
Lenore is survived by her children Theresa Phelps Stromberg, Marc (Alex) Sewell, and Kathleen (Pat Thelemann) Schmitz; grandchildren Jennifer (Luke) Freeman, Ryan Awes, Scott Stromberg, Aidan Atkinson, Kristy (Rusty Douglas) Schmitz; great-grandchildren Alice, Thomas, Agatha, Malaki, Liam, Greyson and Austyn; brother Robert (Rosemary) Phelps; many other relatives and friends.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Jerry; sister Mary Koessel; brother Frank Phelps Jr.; infant sister Dorothy Phelps, and her parents.
Memorials are preferred to the Alzheimer’s Association:
https://www.alz.org/mnnd?form=alz_donate
Offer Condolence for the family of Lenore Mae (Phelps) Sewell

jackie dombrovski
My condolences to Lenoir family
I bowled with her many years in prior Lake, and
Apple Valley. She was a role model.
kathleen schmitz
Thank you Jackie. Mom bowled for soooo many years!! Her final season wasn’t until the ’21-’22 season! She and I had been on a team together since probably 1989. And then my daughter joined us a few years ago so we were a 3 generation team!! We’re gonna miss her!!
Nancy Mardin
Lenore was a real gem. Everyone at Beehive Homes loved her!
Love and Light to her family.
Rest peacefully Lenore
kathleen schmitz
Thank you, Nancy and to everyone at Beehive Homes for taking such incredible care of mom!!
hip
My sympathy Kathy, Kristy,+ Family. She was such a kind a gentle lady.
kathleen schmitz
Thank you Hip!!
Alicia Ruby
Thank you for letting us take care of Lenore. We all just loved her like our own family. We all feel blessed to have known her and your lovely family.
kathleen schmitz
Thank you, Alicia! The entire staff at Beehive was simply amazing!!!