Ruby Mae Lorenzen
May 2, 1930 — December 24, 2017
Ruby Mae Lorenzen was born May 2, 1930, on a farm outside of Denison, Iowa, to Max and Pauline Thomsen Denker. She passed away December 24, 2017, at Eventide Lutheran Home at the age of 87 years, 7 months and 22 days. She was baptized in Christ at Zion Lutheran Church in Denison on June 1, 1930, and later confirmed there on March 25, 1945, choosing John 14:23 as her Confirmation verse (Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him). Ruby received her elementary education at the Goodrich Township Rural School and graduated in 1948 from Denison High School.
During her high school years, she worked part-time for a number of companies, including Builders Lumber & Supply where she performed cashier and bookwork duties. In addition, she “candled” eggs at Armors, worked at the Ritz movie theater and eventually became a bank teller at First National Bank where she continued to work until she was married to John Thomas Lorenzen whom she had met through Zion’s Young Peoples group. Ruby and John were united in marriage on June 5, 1949 at Zion Lutheran Church and were blessed with the birth of three children- Ann, Kim and James.
Ruby was dedicated to the service of her family, church and community. She worked tirelessly in the family’s large-scale poultry building, including picking eggs 3 or 4 times a day for many years, until the business and home on the farm were sold. She volunteered for various community organizations and helped out with many activities at Zion Lutheran Church, remaining a faithful member until her death.
In her leisure time, Ruby enjoyed sewing, quilting, counted cross stitching, crafts, playing cards, engaging in conversation, helping her friends and others in need, shopping for bargains, singing, dancing, traveling with John and Ann, cooking and baking her “famous” angel food cakes. She found pleasure in outdoor activities, such as walking and rock collecting. She loved the beauty of trees, flowers and birds, especially cardinals. She was a devoted, loving mother and grandmother who greatly influenced the lives of her children and grandchildren.
In October 2009, Ruby’s life was forever changed due to a massive stroke. Following rehabilitation in Omaha, Nebraska, she moved into Eventide Lutheran Home in Denison where she enamored staff and others with her wit and charm for over eight years.
Ruby was preceded in death by her parents; brothers: Virgil and Clarence Denker; sister, Virgene Ahrenholtz; husband, John; and daughter, Ann.
Grateful for having been a part of her life include her sons: Dr. Kim Lorenzen and wife Debbie of Mitchell, South Dakota and Dr. James Lorenzen and wife, Mary of Rowley, Massachusetts; grandchildren: Melanie Oldenkamp and husband, Eric, Joshua Lorenzen, Angela Flake and husband Thomas, and Collin Lorenzen; other relatives and friends.
During her high school years, she worked part-time for a number of companies, including Builders Lumber & Supply where she performed cashier and bookwork duties. In addition, she “candled” eggs at Armors, worked at the Ritz movie theater and eventually became a bank teller at First National Bank where she continued to work until she was married to John Thomas Lorenzen whom she had met through Zion’s Young Peoples group. Ruby and John were united in marriage on June 5, 1949 at Zion Lutheran Church and were blessed with the birth of three children- Ann, Kim and James.
Ruby was dedicated to the service of her family, church and community. She worked tirelessly in the family’s large-scale poultry building, including picking eggs 3 or 4 times a day for many years, until the business and home on the farm were sold. She volunteered for various community organizations and helped out with many activities at Zion Lutheran Church, remaining a faithful member until her death.
In her leisure time, Ruby enjoyed sewing, quilting, counted cross stitching, crafts, playing cards, engaging in conversation, helping her friends and others in need, shopping for bargains, singing, dancing, traveling with John and Ann, cooking and baking her “famous” angel food cakes. She found pleasure in outdoor activities, such as walking and rock collecting. She loved the beauty of trees, flowers and birds, especially cardinals. She was a devoted, loving mother and grandmother who greatly influenced the lives of her children and grandchildren.
In October 2009, Ruby’s life was forever changed due to a massive stroke. Following rehabilitation in Omaha, Nebraska, she moved into Eventide Lutheran Home in Denison where she enamored staff and others with her wit and charm for over eight years.
Ruby was preceded in death by her parents; brothers: Virgil and Clarence Denker; sister, Virgene Ahrenholtz; husband, John; and daughter, Ann.
Grateful for having been a part of her life include her sons: Dr. Kim Lorenzen and wife Debbie of Mitchell, South Dakota and Dr. James Lorenzen and wife, Mary of Rowley, Massachusetts; grandchildren: Melanie Oldenkamp and husband, Eric, Joshua Lorenzen, Angela Flake and husband Thomas, and Collin Lorenzen; other relatives and friends.
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