Lisa Jean Cihlar, age 64, passed away peacefully on October 14th, 2024, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, WI, from complications due to a 34-year battle with MS.
She was born on December 17th, 1959 in Green Lake, WI, the daughter of Douglas L. and Fay A. (Anderson) Cochenet. She married Joseph L. Cihlar on October 15th, 1994, in Oconto, WI.
Lisa grew up in Sturgeon Bay, WI and was a graduate of Sevastopol High School. She had a passion for reading and writing and earned a BA in English with an Emphasis in Writing, at UW Stevens Point and a Masters degree in Library and Information Studies, at UW Madison. Her career positions included - Assistant at Door County Library in Sturgeon Bay, WI, Administrator at Farnsworth Public Library, Oconto, WI, Library Director at Rhinelander District Library, WI, Head of Reference at Plainfield Public Library, IL, Director of the Winfield Public Library, IL and Director of Monroe Public Library, WI. After retiring early, due to MS, she held a book group for many years at her home.
With an MS diagnosis, her life became very challenging. Over the years, despite this misfortune, Lisa incredibly remained one of the most positive people you could ever meet. Not negative and complaining, but happily embracing and making the best of each day. Her motto and suggestion to many – “Get over it!”
Lisa and Joe purchased a home with an ample lot in rural Brodhead, WI, about the time she began work in Monroe, where she daily nurtured many raised garden beds, growing flowers, vegetables, herbs & berries. Later, after MS prevented her from working, she spent as much time as possible in the warmer months outdoors, enjoying the many gardens and pond Joe had built for her.
Writing poetry was also one of her passions. She belonged to online poetry groups and appeared in Blackbird, The South Dakota, Green Mountain, Crab Creek, Southern Humanities and Posse Reviews, Bluestem, and the Prose Poem Project. She was twice nominated for a Pushcart Prize and was a Best of the Net nominee. Lisa published a poetry book, “The Insomniac’s House”, and a book of short stories, “This Is How She Fails”. She also won the Blue Light Press Chap Book contest.
Many rainy days and winters were spent watercolor painting. She was very talented, with pieces that were chosen for gallery display, and others that found a home with admirers.
Lisa was a very adventurous cook, always experimenting with new gourmet recipes. She loved everything “kitchen”, making Joe a lucky hubby!
She believed in expanding one's horizons and kept her mind open to new opportunities, enjoying many other hobbies, including loom weaving and photography.
Lisa is survived by her husband; sister Terri Delarwelle; foster sister Carla Dachelet; aunt Becki (Gary) Goetz; aunt Gloria (Roger) Kintopf; aunt Susan (Phil) Gray; nephew Steven (Tami) Delarwelle; and great nephew/niece Logan and Piper. Also, brother-in-law Greg (Joanne) Cihlar, sisters-in-law Charlotte (Lynn) Lacrosse, Laura (Jon) Tice and Barbara (Dave) Maier; aunt-in-law Dorothy (Charles) Cihlar; nieces Sally, Alison, Tracy, Heidi, Angie, Emily; and nephews Nick, Brian, Wes and Zak.
She was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents Ernil and Edna (Jacob) Anderson; Lloyd Cochenet; and Mabel Johanna Caroline (Geitner) Hafeman; brother Craig Cochenet, aunt Susan (David) Belter; uncle Gordon (Sylvia) Anderson; nephew Jason Delarwelle; brother-in-law Scott Delarwelle; mother-in-law Carrol J. Cihlar; and father-in-law Joseph W. Cihlar.
A celebration of Lisa’s life will be held at a future date to honor her remarkable life journey and the significant mark she made on all who had the privilege of knowing her.
Thank you to the staff at Monroe Hospital and St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison. They were exemplary, doing everything they could, to make Lisa comfortable. An extra nod to Angelica, who brought us a brief moment of entertainment that lightened the room, and to Dr. Hobson and Dr. Baggott who kept us informed and offered guidance.
The family requests donations to the Albany Area EMS, Albany, WI, who was there for her several times and showed great care and compassion.
She will be missed greatly by Joe, her family, extended family, friends and special acquaintances.
