Helen Frances Lorenzen

Born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on May 3, 1920
Departed on November 25, 2007. Resided in Cedar Rapids, IA.

Memorial

Helen Frances Lorenzen, 87, of Cedar Rapids, died Sunday, November 25, 2007, at Heritage Nursing and Rehab Center after a long illness. Services at 11 AM Saturday in Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories. Rev. William Harnish will officiate. Entombment will be in Chapel of Memories Mausoleum in Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends may call at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home from 5 to 8 PM on Friday and at the chapel after 10:30 AM on Saturday.

Helen was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, May 3, 1920. She was the daughter of Michael Edward Dmitruk and Irene Kren Dmitruk. She graduated from McKinley High School in 1938. She was employed by Wilson and Company prior to entering nurses training. She graduated from Mercy School of Nursing with a RN degree in 1949. She was employed by Mercy Hospital in various departments, ending up as head nurse in the Nursery caring for newborns. After leaving Mercy she worked for Greene Square Nursing home and then her final nursing career was working for prominent Cedar Rapidians as a private duty nurse in their home or hospital. She retired in 1982.

On June 10th, 1950 she married Fredrick William Lorenzen at St. Paul's Methodist Church in Cedar Rapids. Fred preceded Helen in death on June 1, 1982. There were no children from this marriage. She was also preceded in death by her parents, her sister-in-law Theota Lorenzen, her nephew Michael Stastny in 1983, her brother-in-law Donald L. Houser in 1996, brother-in-law Frank G. Stastny Sr. in 1998, sister-in-law Grace Anderson Dmitruk in 2005, and her brother Henry Dmitruk in 2006.

She is survived by her sisters, Jennie Irene Stastny and Lillian Mary Houser both of Cedar Rapids, nephews Bob and Mike Dmitruk of Cedar Rapids, niece Pauline Dmitruk Baker of Garden City, Michigan, Steve Stastny of Cedar Rapids, Frank Gale Stastny Jr. of Newhall, Iowa, nieces Sandra Stastny Brekke, Jenine Stastny Beltz, nephew James Houser Dr. Arleen Zahn-Houser Joan Houser Dyal Bill, Judy Houser Cooper. She also has many great and great great nieces and nephews. She is also survived by brother-in-law Earl Lorenzen Jean and Donald Lorenzen Mary Ann of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and nephews Jim Lorenzen of Strawberry Point, Richard Lorenzen Dawn of Cedar Rapids, Don Lorenzen Jr. Diane of Swisher, and Gary Lorenzen Karen of Cedar Rapids.

She was a member of VFW Post # 788 Ladies Auxiliary and Masonic Beauceant. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, and sewing, making many clown outfits for her husband Fred who was a member of the Shriners Jolly Jokers Clown Unit. Family and friends possess her handy work. She enjoyed playing cards and bingo at the VFW. She also enjoyed taking nieces and nephews to Shriner picnics, circuses, and movies,
She traveled around the country with her husband Fred to his 3rd Armored Division reunions. They traveled throughout Europe especially Germany twice, visiting Fred's relatives, taking an Alaskan cruise, and a trip to Hawaii.

Special thanks to her nephew James Houser and care providers Alisha Cole and Tina Cole for helping her to remain in her own home until entering Heritage September 21, 2007. Also Sandra Brekke and Jenine Beltz, and Steve Stastny. Her sister Jennie Stastny who for 5 years before the caregivers came to help her. Special thanks to Dr. Matthew Fox of Mercy Care, Marion, for his many years of excellent care of Helen. Also to the staff at Mercy Medical Center 4th and 7th floors and Hospice of Mercy and the staff at Heritage.

In lieu of flowers the family kindly requests that memorials be made to El Kahir Shrine Center, 1400 Blairs Ferry Rd NE, 52402, for the Shriners Crippled Children's Hospital or to the charity of the donor's choice.

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