Data source is Lester K. Mumma. E-mail CamperCatz@peoplepc.com
Lester K. "Sheik" Mumma
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Lester K. "Sheik" Mumma, 85, of Lancaster, died Sunday at Hospice of Lancaster County. Born March 15, 1920, he was the son of the late Alvin and Fannie (Karr) Mumma. He was the husband of the late Margaret R. (Warfel) Mumma. Mr. Mumma served our country in the U.S. Army Air Corp. during World War II. He worked in the pretzel business his entire life and retired from Mumma's Pretzel Bakery. Mr Mumma was a member of the 8th Ward Club and the Active Club. He enjoyed camping and was a fan of the Philadelphia Phillies. Mr. Mumma is survived by a daughter, Margaret A., wife of Charles Stoy Sr. of Lancaster, three sons; Lester K. Jr., husband of Judith Mumma of Lancaster, Ronald L. husband of Jacqueline Mumma of Newport Richey, FL and John R. Sr. husband of Freda Mumma of Lancaster, a brother; Raymond Mumma of Lancaster, two sisters; Mary Shultz of Manheim and Dorothy Ressler of Hudson, FL; 13 grandchildren,35 great grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren. Mr Mumma was predeceased by a grandson, Ronald L. Mumma Jr. Funeral services will be 10:00 AM Wednesday at the Gundel Funeral Home, 415 N. Duke Street, Lancaster with Rev.Stephen P. Verkouw officiating. Viewing will be one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow the service at Riverview Burial Park.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Lancaster County, 685 Good Drive, PO Box 4125, Lancaster, Pa. 17604-4125. For additional information or to send a condolence, please visit:
www.gundelfuneralhome.com or call (717) 393-1776
MUMMA, LESTER K
CPL US ARMY
WORLD WAR II
DATE OF BIRTH: 03/15/1920
DATE OF DEATH: 10/09/2005
BURIED AT:
RIVERVIEW BURIAL PARK
S DUKE ST LANCASTER, PA 17603
******** History of the Mumma Pretzel Bakery *********
The first Mumma Pretzel Bakery started rolling and twisting handmade pretzels in the Cabbage Hill area of Lancaster City in 1923. Over the years, the bakery moved several times within the neighborhood but never lost its momentum. It operated stands at local festivals, farmers' markets and even along the local road sides. In the 1980's, Mumma's relocated to its current location in what was the old Kissinger Bakery building. The ingredients of the pretzels that you buy today are the same ingredients used in the pretzels your grandparents bought. And, the pretzels are still hand rolled and baked daily, using the freshest ingredients from Lancaster County.
Margaret Mumma worked along with Lester at the bakery. Here she is at the Kutztown Fair where people watched her all day long as she made pretzels. This same picture appeared in National Geographic in the 1960'
This business has been handed down through the generations, staying closely connected to its well-known soft and hard rolled pretzels. Many people remember Lester Mumma, whom we regretfully just lost in 2005. Probably the most central figures at Lancaster Central Market were Ken and Betty Warfel (Lester's brother in-law and sister in-law). They made a very positive impression on the City of Lancaster, putting a great deal of character into the Central Market stand. These folks created a strong heritage, and we today enjoy an unprecedented loyalty as a result. For that we are grateful!
Lester Mumma made his first pretzel at the age of 8. He continued to roll and twist into his eighth decade. Lester rolled and twisted more than one million pretzels in his life.
It was in the fall of 2003 when we learned of the pretzel bakery being for sale. When we looked into it further, we discovered that it was "the" bakery that Dane's great aunt visited monthly from Livingston, NJ. Wow, what a surprise!! The little bag of soft pretzels that showed up periodically at his house was suddenly something of which we could be a part. Through several months of getting to know Betty Warfel and her son, Don, kicking the idea around with each other, and maybe most importantly gaining our wives' approval, we all decided to take the plunge. Ironically now, the little pretzel bakery just a few blocks from where Dane's grandparents lived and his mother grew up was now under our care. And simply, we want to not only share the tradition with you but keep this little taste of Lancaster County alive.
We often hear from our customers how they would buy the soft pretzels and sell them downtown to pay for an afternoon movie, or how this guiltless little pleasure is an important part of our city folks' lives.
We, our families, and our employees truly do want to carry on the tradition not only of providing high quality, traditional soft pretzels but also our version of the Lancaster County hard pretzel. We hope you find these little treats the same satisfying morsel that we have. Thank you for visiting our website and hurry to get your taste of Lancaster County
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Another twist of fate
New owners put Mumma Pretzel Bakery up for sale again.
By DENNIS LARISON, Business editor
Sunday News, Published: Dec 23, 2007 12:04 AM EST
http://local.lancasteronline.com/4/214087
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LANCASTER, Pa - The long history of the Mumma Pretzel Bakery is about to take another turn.
Partners Dane DeLozier and Mark Sloyer, who bought the 84-year-old business in 2004, have put it up for sale.
"It's true," DeLozier said by phone from the San Franciso Bay area, where he's now living.
"It's not an emergency sale," he said. "We're not going to let it fall to pieces."
It's just that DeLozier and Sloyer have taken on new jobs in their other professions, and it's time to pass the bakery on.
DeLozier is now the national sales manager for Calex, an electronic power supply manufacturer. And Sloyer, who works for Tyco Electronics, has a new position that requires a lot of traveling.
Mumma Pretzel "has a neat history. That's what attracted us to it," DeLozier said.
Founded in 1923 in the Cabbage Hill area of Lancaster, the bakery moved several times before alighting at its present location at 614 Fourth St.
Most people, however, know the business from its stand at Central Market, which was overseen for many years by Ken Warfel, now deceased, and his wife, Betty.
DeLozier and Sloyer bought the company from Betty and her son, Don.
The business was founded by Alvin Mumma, whose recipes are still used by the bakery. Alvin passed it on to his son, Lester, whose three sons worked there and whose wife, Margaret Warfel-Mumma, was a relative of the Warfels.
The bakery closed for a time in the late 1970s and was restarted in 1981 by Betty Warfel.
DeLozier's grandparents lived near the bakery, and his family bought pretzels there when he was growing up.
DeLozier said he and Sloyer bought the bakery not just to keep the tradition going but also with the idea of running the business diligently and expanding it with Internet sales and other storefront venues.
"We do probably 40 to 45 percent of our business out of Central Market," he said. Sales at the bakery itself account for another 20 percent, with the rest coming through a handful of other stores, such as Darrenkamp's, and the Internet.
DeLozier and Sloyer say they intend to continue following the plan they formulated for operating and expanding the company while they try to sell it.
"We would like to see it go on," DeLozier said.
Jim Englert of Associates Real Estate Co. in Columbia is the agent handling the sale, DeLozier said.