Lorene Delia VanNatta • 1923 - 2009

Lorene Delia VanNatta, 86, Minot, died Wednesday, March 18, 2009, at Trinity Nursing Home.

Lorene was born January 10, 1923, in the Anamoose, ND, area, the only child of Alfonse and Sarah (Zimmerman) Schmeets. She was reared and educated in Anamoose, ND, graduating from Anamoose High School. She obtainer her teaching credential but because of changes in teacher's requirements, Lorene went back to college and graduated from Minot State Teachers College in 1969 with her elementary teaching degree.

Lorene married Clemance VanNatta on June 18, 1941, in Anamoose. They farmed in the Orrin, ND and Knox, ND area for several years and Lorene also worked as a school teacher. They moved to Minot in 1958 and Lorene started her teaching career with Minot Public Schools. Lorene was active in the Minot Education Association, and was involved in the teacher's strike in 1969. She lost her job teaching in the Minot system, but was hired by Bell School where she taught 6th grade until her retirement in 1988.

Clem and Lorene moved to Somerset Court in May, 2001 and lived there until her recent move to the Trinity Nursing Home.

Lorene was a member of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church and a former member of St. Leo's Catholic Church both in Minot. She is also a member of the Retired Teacher's Association.
Lorene was an amazing hostess and cook. Company always stopped by her home and she could put together the most amazing meals at the drop of a hat. Her cooking abilities were something she passed on to other family members. Vegetable and flower gardening were one of Lorene's additional talents. Her philosophy of "there is no such thing as enough flowers being planted" always showed by the large amounts of flowers she planted each year.

Family was always first in Lorene's mind. Her summers off from school were spent taking her grandchildren with her and Clem on many trips in the motor home. They went to California, Florida, Alaska and Hawaii to name a few. Time spent with her great grandchildren always brought a smile to her face and a lot of laughs. The most recent addition to her family of a great-great-granddaughter made her very proud.

Only 15 months ago, after 66 years of marriage, Lorene lost Clem and life hasn't been the same for her. Although family members were not ready to let her go, part of our hearts are happy knowing that she is reunited with Clem in heaven.

Survivors: daughter, Kathy (Jerry) Burckhard, Minot; son, Lanny VanNatta, Jamestown, ND; four grandchildren, Robert (Lisa) Wolf, Minot, David (Karene) Wolf, Spokane, WA, Ronda Drobnis, Mt. Arlington, NJ and Rick Wolf, Minot; eight great-grandchildren, Danielle, Whitney and Matthew Wolf all of Minot, Brandon and Kevin Wolf, Spokane, WA, Kyle and Kayla Drobnis, Mt. Arlingson, NJ and Tasha Wolf, Minot; one great-great granddaughter, Emry McDermott, Minot and numerous cousins.
Lorene was preceded in death by her parents, and husband, Clem VanNatta.

Mass of Christian Burial: Monday, March 23, 2009, at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, Minot.

Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot, ND.

Visitation: Sunday from 2 to 7 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.

Vigil Prayer Service: Sunday at 7 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.

Service Participants
Father Bruce Krebs - Celebrant of the Liturgies
Father Henry Schneider - Concelebrant
Kyle Drobnis and Brandon Wolf - Readers
Lorene’s Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren - Gift Bearers

Music
Processional Hymn: “Here I Am Lord” #382
Offertory Hymn: “Hail Mary: Gentle Woman” #708
Communion Hymn: “Whatsoever You Do” #592
“Precious Lord, Take My Hand” #697
Final Commendation: “Oh Loving God”
Recessional Hymn: “On Eagle’s Wings” #439
Hardy Lieberg, Vocalist/Song Leader
Beth Chapman, Organist

Honorary Bearers: Lorene’s family and friends

Active Bearers: Dennis Zimmerman, Gene Klein,  Rick Gruenberg, George Gathman, James Hager,  Jim Gathman

Following the graveside service, please join the family for a time of fellowship and lunch in the lower level of the church.

Our family would like to thank all of you for your many acts of kindness. Your thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated during this difficult time. May God bless the memory of Lorene.

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To view the inside of Lorene's folder
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