Lila Lorraine “Lorrie” Cirilli

Lila Lorraine “Lorrie” Cirilli passed away at home on January 29, 2025.

Lorrie was born on August 28, 1930 in Trego, Wis. She was the eldest daughter of Lila “Lilly” Leona (Coleman) and Guy Weitman. Her father was a surveyor for the Indian Agency and they moved around Wisconsin 13 different times. She spent some of her childhood living on the Lac du Flambeau reservation with her parents and little sister, Marjorie “Midge.” It was here where Lorrie found her love of books and where she learned how to read music and play the piano.  Eventually, her family moved to Ashland where she graduated from high school. She was in nursing school when she met her future husband, Albert J. Cirilli.  They were married in Ashland on June 7, 1952 and moved to Rhinelander to start their family. 

Lorrie and Al had six children; four sons and two daughters.

She is survived by her children; John (Judith), Patti (Nancy Ryan), Anthony (Anne), Gary (Linda), Scott (Barbara), Lisa (Doug) Harrison and 13 grandchildren; Jamie (Greg) Marvin, Jenie (Kevin) Raether, Christie (Corey) Leinum, Robert (Sara), Joseph, Alexis (Bret) Whaley, Alexander (Sarah), Nicholas (Amy), Albert J. (Andrea), Patrick (Alyson), Elizabeth (Kelby) Lechleitner, Marina Harrison, Carli Harrison and Lauren (Jordan) Drew and 14 great-grand children; Josie, Riley, Benjamin, Kallie, Aubrie, Peyton, Zoey, Wyatt, Lola, Luke, Luciana, Kaelin, Vincent and Elliot. 

Lorrie was preceded in death by her husband, Albert, her parents and sister, Midge. 

Lorrie loved raising her family in Rhinelander with Al. Their favorite Italian expression was “Ala Familia, Tiamo” (To the Family, Love you). Nothing gave her more joy than celebrating events and milestones with her family. You knew that when Lorrie planned a celebration, it would be festive and the spread of food would be delicious and abundant. She enjoyed preparing the spaghetti sauce for the Annual Cirilli “Spaghetti” Golf Open for 68 years. Since she and Al joined the Rhinelander Country Club in 1960, Lorrie was given a lifetime membership and was the first woman to serve on the Country Club board. 

For a time, she was co-owner and owner of the Cirilli’s Super Valu family grocery store on Stevens Street. She spent her volunteer time at the St. Mary’s Hospital Gift Shop and as “the picture taker” for the newborn babies, and also as a Campfire Girls leader for 20 years.   

After Albert’s passing, she helped kick off the Albert J. Cirilli Memorial Cancer Walk, created the Albert J. Cirilli RHS Memorial scholarship and joined many community groups, including: Voices of Praise St. Mary’s choir, Choraliers, Northern Arts Council and the Nicolet Creative Writers class.  She especially enjoyed her bridge club group which provided friendship and support for one another through life’s ups and downs. She liked taking trips with her friends and traveled with them to Italy, Canada, London and Ireland. Lorrie went on golf vacations to Arizona and Florida with her daughter, Patti, and spent many Thanksgiving holidays in California with her youngest daughter, Lisa and her family. Every Christmas Eve was spent at her house with the whole family invited to share the love and joy. Lorrie thoroughly appreciated and enjoyed her family and friends throughout her 94 blessed and wonderful years. She will be missed.

The Cirilli family would like to thank the “Stay Home Instead Senior Home Care” staff for the high quality care their mother received which allowed her to fulfill her dream of remaining in her home.

The visitation for Lorrie will be held on Monday, February 24, 2025, at Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church, located at 125 E. King Street, from 10 a.m. to the 11 a.m. Memorial Mass, with Fr. Chris Kemp officiating. Please be seated in church by 10:45 a.m. for prelude music and a tribute to Lorrie's life.

Inurnment will take place at Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to make donations to the NATH Frederick Street House, the Rhinelander Food Pantry, or any organization that you feel will honor Lorrie’s life. 

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Hildebrand Funeral Home & Cremation Specialists, 24 E. Davenport Street, Rhinelander, Wisconsin, 54501, 715-365-4343. Everyone is invited to leave an online condolence at www.hildebrandrussfh.com.