Leora M. "Lee" Mussulman

Leora M. (Mitchell) Mussulman ("Lee"), age 94, of Augusta, MI, passed away on Wednesday morning, March 24, 2021, at Borgess Hospital, Kalamazoo, MI. She was born in Sherwood, MI, on July 2, 1926, to Grover and Bertha (Wyrick) Mitchell. She was born, raised, and lived her entire life within a 30-mile area of Augusta. She attended Athens high school.

On September 11, 1943, Leora married the "Love of her Life", Wayne Mussulman. They were happily married for 42 years until his death in 1985. Together they raised five children in Augusta, MI. She loved her family, enjoyed watching all of her children and grandchildren in many different activities throughout the years. One of her favorite sayings was "The best thing I ever did was having five children, and I wish I would have had five more!" She really liked family get-togethers, having Christmas, and her specialty was Thanksgiving. She would make all the delicious food herself and arranged for many fun family games. She instilled a love for "family board-game night" that still continues through her children and grandchildren.

When Leora's children were finally all in school, she started working at the Augusta Elementary Cafeteria which she really enjoyed. She went on to work at Brook Lodge until retirement where she made many good friends. Leora was a lot of fun to be around. She enjoyed reading, playing cards, going to the casino/playing bingo, crafting, and collecting seashells on the beach. She always kept busy and also loved to dance, especially with her favorite partner, Wayne. She was known by her grandchildren as "Grandma Squirrel" because of the many squirrels she fed at her home in Augusta. Wayne and Leora and family made many memories at Silver Lake, MI. Her favorite place to visit in Augusta was the McKay Library.

Leora is survived by her children, Jerry Mussulman of Augusta, MI; Dawn Holtman of Plainwell, MI; Rhonda (Tom) Smith of Portage, MI; Jim Mussulman of Marshfield, MO; and Penny Reece of Orlando, FL; a niece, Dena (Rick) Rentfro of Dowling, MI; 13 grandchildren, 35 great grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren. She was sadly preceded in death by her parents, husband Wayne, brother Lyman Mitchell, daughters-in-law, Joyce (Wheeler) Mussulman and Brenda (Adkins) Mussulman. We will miss Mom, but we know that she is reunited again with our Dad, family and friends.

Due to Covid restrictions, family will receive friends 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., Monday, April 5th at the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Augusta Chapel. Graveside services will follow at the Augusta Cemetery at 2:30 p.m. The service was recorded and may be viewed at https://vimeo.com/533250304. A larger celebration of life will be held later in the year when it is safe for family and friends to gather. In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to Alzheimer's Association, the McKay Library or the Galesburg-Augusta Education Fund. Personal messages for the family and/or favorite memories of Leora may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.