It is with heavy hearts that we share our beautiful Chana departed this earth on Tuesday, November 1, 2022. Our lives were enriched by her pure love, creative spirit, bright personality, hilarious wit, contagious laugh, endless energy, and compassion for everyone she met. She will forever live in our hearts.

Chana Marie Lynn Lombard was born on December 22, 1979, in Rice Lake to Joy (Ricci) Becker and Jim Lombard. Chana spent her childhood days on her grandparents’ farm in Cumberland watching Grandpa Ricci harvest his crops and milk the dairy cows. It was there Chana learned her love of baking from Grandma Donna Ricci. Her deep connection and bond with Grandma Ricci is something she cherished all her life. Chana grew up surrounded by friends and family in Almena, running around with the neighborhood kids and creating lasting friendships with Almena and Barron friends that would last 30 years. She graduated from Barron High School in 1998.

Adulthood led Chana to Minneapolis, the start of many adventures for our free spirit. She was never afraid to try something new and made friends with everyone she met. A variety of jobs in the restaurant business, sales and Pier One provided another wonderful network of lifelong friends and an abundance of life experiences. Minneapolis also led her to the love of her life, Jon Wood. Their connection was instant, and they fell madly in love. Jon and Chana were married on September 8, 2007, in Oakdale, MN at the home of Chana’s cousin. Together they created a life in Minneapolis, welcoming Sophia Marie Lynn in 2008, and Ava Joy in 2011. Chana spent her days in the kitchen baking and taking care of the girls, throwing elaborate birthday parties for them, and elating in the joy of being a mother.

A life transition in the summer of 2013 brought Chana and her family back to her roots in Cumberland. Although scared and unsure of what life would hold, little did she know this next chapter was certain to be her best. Chana’s love of baking and Grandma Ricci’s shortbread recipe started a small hobby/business of holiday treats and quickly turned into her entrepreneurial debut, Sugar Wood. Sugar Wood thrived with Chana’s creative energy, brilliant ideas, and never-ending drive to follow her gut and her dreams. And that she did. We were in constant awe of her. To be in her presence was pure joy. Countless appearances in newspapers, magazines, social media, and TV interviews showcased her unique talent and sparkling personality. Never one to sit still, in 2021 Chana launched her second entrepreneurial endeavor, Sugar Wear – a downtown boutique in Cumberland. She was so grateful to Jim for his help in getting the store up and running and for their loving friendship. She loved all the adults and kids who filled her store and bakery with laughter and light; helping to fill orders, model for Sugar Wear or assist with her newest idea or crazy venture. The last dream to come true happened when Chana and her family filmed a show for a national TV series just a week ago at her grandparent’s farm – a girl in her glory, she again conquered it with grace.

More than anything though, Chana touched the lives of so many people wherever she went. She was always striking up conversations with strangers who felt drawn to talk to her, she was everyone’s best friend and confidant. She had special bonds with her cousins whom she loved with all her heart. Her words, whether spoken or written, were poignant, full of truth and straight from the heart. Her hilarious sense of humor and the fun adventures and stories that she told and shared with us (some of which can never be repeated) are treasured memories forever engrained in our hearts. She was magical. To know her, was to love her.

Surviving to honor her legacy, are her husband, Jon Wood and daughters Sophia Wood and Ava Wood all of Cumberland; mother, Joy Becker of Cumberland; sister Brooke (Andy) Constable of Weymouth, England; brother Derek (Emily) Stauner of Hanover, MN; father, Jim (Barb) Lombard of Cumberland; sisters, Alyssa Lombard of Rice Lake, WI and Brittany (Jay) Prettyman of Prior Lake, MN; father and mother-in-law, Robert and Camille Wood of Chaska, MN; sister-in-law, Katie (Austin) Zach of Jim Falls, WI; brother-in-laws, Michael (Jackie) Wood of Delano, MN, Stephen (Kelsey) of Norwood Young America, MN, and Christopher (Danielle) Wood of Lakewood, CO; nieces and nephews, Layla and Brody Stauner, Hudson Wood, Cole, Audrey and Emma Zach, Noah, Ellen and Joanna Wood and many beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Chana was joined in heaven by her perfect, beautiful baby girl Georgia Lynn Wood and preceded in death by her grandparents, Donna and Paul Ricci and stepfather, Russ Becker.

Visitation will be held on Monday, November 7 from 4-8 p.m. at Skinner Funeral Home in Cumberland. A celebration and brief service to honor Chana’s life will be held on Tuesday, November 8 beginning at 11 a.m. at Das Lach Haus in Cumberland.

Chana’s legacy can be honored by living the way she did – however you want. Love with all your heart, follow your dreams, laugh until hurts and shine your light bright. We love you forever sweet girl.

Donations can be made to the Chana and Georgia Wood Memorial fund at Cumberland Federal Bank or US Bank, Cumberland to offset medical and funeral expenses.

Last Update: Nov 06, 2022 12:05 pm CST