Helen Lorenz

Helen E. Lorenz, 93, of Clinton, died Friday, December 26, 2008 at the Sarah Harding Home. She was a lady of grace, dignity and unassuming courage. Funeral Services will be 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, December 31, 2008 at the First Congregational Church, Clinton. Burial will be in the Clinton Lawn Cemetery. Jon Johnson, Aaron Johnson, Lynn Schipper, Kurt Schipper, Brian Peck, and Steve Sullivan will serve as pallbearers. Visitation will be Tuesday from 3:00-7:00 p.m. at the Clinton Chapel Snell-Zornig Funeral Home and Crematory. Helen Emily Wetzel was born on June 1, 1915 in Floyd, Iowa, the youngest daughter of George Nicholas and Adaline Osborne (nee: Seaver) Wetzel. She married Kenneth Bowen Lorenz on November 16, 1935 in Floyd. After her marriage to Kenneth, they resided in Knoxville, Iowa and moved to Clinton in 1944. Kenneth died on October 12, 1991. She was a graduate of Floyd High School (1932), Mt. Saint Clare College (1956) and received her BA degree from Marycrest College (1964). Helen was a dedicated teacher her entire career. Helen taught first grade in Fulton, kindergarten in Low Moor, and kindergarten at Lincoln Elementary School in Clinton from 1959-1978. She was also instrumental in developing the Head Start program in Clinton which has provided a profound contribution to our community and country. Helen was a member of the First Congregational Church in Clinton where she was active in several church circles. In addition, she was an active member of Daughters of the Nile, White Shrine, Mercy Auxiliary, RSVP, and a life member of the National Education Association. Helen enjoyed playing piano, “antiquing” and traveling with her husband, embroidery and needlepoint, researching her family’s genealogy, and was a staunch fan of “Mutts” and “Red and Rover.” Helen is survived by two daughters: Adrienne Gabel of Clinton, and Andrea Lorenz of Manitowish Waters, Wisconsin; one son: George (Carlene) Lorenz of Downers Grove, Illinois; one granddaughter: Cynthia (Jon) Johnson of Clinton; three great-grandchildren: Aaron Johnson, Elizabeth Harris, and Michelle Harris; one great-great grandson: Dylan Johnson, nieces and nephews in Colorado and Nebraska and good friends Kathleen Odau, Dorathy Overcash and Donna Fee. In addition to her husband, Helen was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers: Leon Seaver Wetzel and Clifford George Wetzel, and one sister: Dorothy Frances Millhiser. Memorials may be made to Sarah Harding Home, 308 South Bluff Boulevard, or the charity of one’s choice

Helen Lorenz

June 1, 1915 - December 26, 2008