Birth: November 27, 1912
Death: May 26, 1992
Location: Lot 158, Section 7, New Addition
Isabelle C. Lorenzen, the daughter of Dan and Clara (Otto) Bitner, was born in a sod house near Westerville, Nebraska, on November 27, 1912, and died at Aurora, Nebraska, on May 26, 1992, at the age of 79 years, 5 months, and 29 days.
Her early years were spent in several towns in Colorado, where her father was engaged in farming. In her mid-teens, her father deserted the family, and she came back to Nebraska, to liver with relatives, and worked as a live-in mother’s helper. She attended schools in Loup City, Central City, and York.
On June 17, 1939, she was united in marriage to Willard Lorenzen, at Grand Island. He preceded her in death on November 16, 1985. Soon after they were married they moved to Wood River, and in 1950 they opened the 9th Street Dry Cleaners. She trained all the personnel in the handling of the clothing and drapery for cleaning and pressing.
Following the death of her husband, she moved to the Cross Roads Court in Aurora, on January 7, 1986, to be near her daughter, Janet, and in 1990, she became a resident of the Memorial Community Care at the Memorial Hospital in Aurora, when her health failed.
Isabelle was a member of the Presbyterian Church in Wood River, and was a 40-year plus member of the Evening Circle #1, and after moving to Aurora, became a member of the United Methodist Church, and belonged to a church circle. She was also a 50-year member of the Cement Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star Chapter #115, at Wood River, and was a Past Matron. While in Aurora she was active in the Senior Citizen Center, and was active in activities at the Cross Roads Court while a resident there. She was also a member of the Grand Island Eagle’s Auxiliary, and belonged to the Rolling Eagles Club.
She loved to go fishing and camping, and also enjoyed sewing, crocheting, and baking.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and one sister, Laura Jordan.
Those who remain to cherish her memory are her 2 daughters, Janet Roberts and her husband Rodney of Aurora, and Lona Bader and her husband Roger of Colorado Springs, Colorado; and 4 grandchildren, Kelly and Scott Roberts and David and Daniel Bader.