Louisa Rian Lessman

Maryland on August 12, 1922 to Mortimer and Eunice Rian. Louisa met her husband James H.

Lessman at Fort Meade at a United Service Organization Dance and it was love at first sight.

They later married on March 7, 1943 and were married 61 years.

James was in the Army and after they married he left immediately for Europe to fight for his country. He returned 2 years later as Louisa waited patiently for him to come back to her. James commanded an all black platoon while in Europe and 4 of his men sang in their wedding ceremony that they didn’t have

time to have before he left for Europe. Upon his return, he decided to switch branches and

went in the Air Force. Shortly after, he became an officer. Lou now had an opportunity to travel,

travel travel and boy did they ever. They lived in Hawaii then Japan until James was stationed

at March Air Force Base in Riverside California. While at March Air Force Base they met a

woman who was 18 years of age, unwed and pregnant. She had been discharged from the Air

Force for being pregnant and not married.

She eventually moved in with the Lessman’s and agreed to have her baby boy adopted by the Lessman’s. His name was Eugene and he was the apple of their eye, just what they wanted. Lou had many accomplishments such as serving as the President of the Lincoln Quilters Guild. She became a member of an organization called ‘Reach to Recovery.’ This organization helped women who had breast cancer recover. Louisa helped the woman get fitted correctly and successful wear a prosthetic breast. She also helped develop curriculum that was psychological therapy for the woman who were having to adjust and trying to get comfortable with their new norm. Former Nebraska Governor J.J Exon

awarded Lou with the ‘Excellence Award’ for her work with Reach to Recovery.

Her greatest accomplishment was becoming a grandma and what a amazing grandma she was. Those of us that knew Louisa will remember a woman who was loving, kind, caring, intelligent, passionate,

dedicated, just to list a few important words that describe who she was. She touched everyone

she met. Louisa was predeceased by her parents Mortimer and Eunice Rian, her husband Jim,

her sister Caroline and her brother Mortimer.

She is survived by her son, Eugene, her grandchildren Evan Anderson, Willow and Trey Lessman, her sister Ave Holbrook of Sterling, VA and many nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life for Louisa will be at 10 am, Friday, July 16, 2021, at Lincoln Memorial, 6800 S. 14th street. Rev. Jim Keck will be officiating. Cremation, no visitation. Memorials and donations may be given to the Lincoln Humane

Society and the American Cancer Society. Condolences maybe sent to www.lincolnfh.com