Memorial

Elaine Frances Lorenz, 86, of Cedar Rapids, went to be with her Lord on July 6 at the Donna and Dennis Oldorf Hospice House, surrounded by her loving family.

A visitation will be held at Cedar Memorial on Monday, July 9 from 4-7 pm with a prayer service at 7pm, Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home, Cedar Rapids.  The funeral mass will be held on July 10 at 10:30am at St. Matthew Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids.  Burial will follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Cedar Rapids, followed by a luncheon at St. Matthew.

Elaine was born on September 24, 1931 in Dubuque, Iowa, to parents Bill and Irene Heitz.  Elaine graduated from Mt. Mercy Junior College in 1951.  She then proceeded to Mount Carmel in Dubuque where she spent two years in the convent.  After that she taught at Immaculate Conception in Cedar Rapids for a couple of years, and then went on to Clarke College in Dubuque to finish her Bachelor’s Degree in education. Upon completion of her degree, she taught in the Cedar Rapids public school system.  

She then met the love of her life, Robert Lorenz, and they were united in marriage on June 14, 1958.  From this beautiful union they created seven children.  They were blessed to be able to celebrate their 60th anniversary this past June.  Elaine was a woman of strong faith.  Throughout her years she taught in the religious education programs at St. Patrick and St. Matthew, as well as several prayer groups where she made lifelong friends.  Daily prayer was an important part of her life.  Being a wife and raising seven children was her true enjoyment.  Her patience, faith, family values and selflessness made her a truly beautiful woman, wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother.  

Elaine is survived by her husband of 60 years, Bob, her seven children, Bob (Deb) of Cedar Rapids, Mary Mikkola (Ron) of Marion, Dick (Jenny) of Marion, Jim (Mollie) of Marion, Theresa Whittlesey (Pete) of Fairfax, Paul (Annette) of Cedar Rapids and Kathy Franz (Scott) of Cedar Rapids.  She is also survived by her 17 grandchildren, Jennifer Dechant (Drew), Amy Crnecki (Zach), Holly Sitzmann (Eric), Christine Goslar (Jake), Danielle Manternach (Dave), Travis, Brooke, Emma, Leah, Blake, Richelle Caslavka (Zach), Zach, Delaney, Heather Bohl (Brad), John, Matthew and Michael; her six great grandchildren Avery, Chloe, Owen, Henry, Aubrey and Emmett, as well as 2 more that will arrive in the Fall.  

In lieu of flowers, memorials will be directed to charities that were meaningful to Elaine.  Catholic Relief Services and the Mercy Hospice.