Obituary for Joan Lafrenz
Joan Lafrenz, 85, of Atlantic, Iowa, died Monday, July 1, 2019, at Heritage House in Atlantic.
Joan was born on September 13, 1933, in Griswold, Iowa, the daughter of Frank W. and Vera E. (England) Ray. She graduated from Griswold High School in 1951. In 1954, she started her career as a clerk at the Cass County Auditor’s office, and retired after 36 years in 1990. One of her favorite memories at work was when Barbara Bush visited their office while on campaign for her husband; she even ended up joining them for the salad lunch they were having that day.
On July 15, 1961, she was united in marriage to Vernon C. Lafrenz in Elk Horn, Iowa. The couple made their home south of Atlantic. She loved to labor alongside Vern whatever the task on the farm, from being in the fields, working with cattle, and milking the cows. Joan was a little hesitant to get in the combine, but once she did, she enjoyed it so much it was hard to get her out of it. Joan had a pleasant smile and a good sense of humor. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Atlantic.
Joan is survived by her husband, Vernon of Atlantic; sister, Sharon (Ray) Curran of Prescott, AZ; sisters-in-law, Arlene (Ken) Rhoades, Vanita (Tom) Barnet, and Loretta Wuerdeman, all of Davenport, IA; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Vera Ray; brothers, Harold “Shorty” (Shirley) Ray and Gary Ray; sisters, Dorothy (Burnell) Wheeler and Cleo (Paul) Steffen; brother-in-law, Lee Drumm; and niece, Debbie Ray.
Open visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, July 4th followed by visitation with the family present from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., at Roland Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, July 5th at Zion Lutheran Church in Atlantic. Burial will be held in the Evergreen Cemetery in Red Oak.
Memorials may be made to the family for later designation to Zion Lutheran Church or the Diabetes Association.
Roland Funeral Service is caring for Joan’s family and her arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.
IN REMEMBRANCE OF
Joan Lafrenz
BORN
September 13, 1933 - Griswold, Iowa
DIED
July 1, 2019 - Atlantic, Iowa
At the age of 85 years, 9 months, 18 days
FUNERAL SERVICE
10:30 a.m., Friday, July 5, 2019
Zion Lutheran Church - Atlantic, Iowa
OFFICIATING
Pastor Daryl Tompkins
ORGANIST
Karen Benson
MUSICAL SELECTIONS
“I’m But A Stranger Here” #748
“Abide With Me” by Randall Breckerbaumer
“How Great Thou Art” # 801
CASKET BEARERS
Landon Preston
Tanner Preston
Ray Preston
Allen Conner
FLOWER COMMITTEE
Linda Robinson
Laurie Andersen
Julie Gade
INTERMENT
2:00 p.m.
Evergreen Cemetery - Red Oak, Iowa
The family appreciates your care and invites you to join them for
lunch immediately following the service, in the church fellowship hall.
Joan was born on September 13, 1933, in Griswold, Iowa, the daughter of Frank W. and Vera E. (England) Ray. She graduated from Griswold High School in 1951. In 1954, she started her career as a clerk at the Cass County Auditor’s office, and retired after 36 years in 1990. One of her favorite memories at work was when Barbara Bush visited their office while on campaign for her husband; she even ended up joining them for the salad lunch they were having that day.
On July 15, 1961, she was united in marriage to Vernon C. Lafrenz in Elk Horn, Iowa. The couple made their home south of Atlantic. She loved to labor alongside Vern whatever the task on the farm, from being in the fields, working with cattle, and milking the cows. Joan was a little hesitant to get in the combine, but once she did, she enjoyed it so much it was hard to get her out of it. Joan had a pleasant smile and a good sense of humor. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Atlantic.
Joan is survived by her husband, Vernon of Atlantic; sister, Sharon (Ray) Curran of Prescott, AZ; sisters-in-law, Arlene (Ken) Rhoades, Vanita (Tom) Barnet, and Loretta Wuerdeman, all of Davenport, IA; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Vera Ray; brothers, Harold “Shorty” (Shirley) Ray and Gary Ray; sisters, Dorothy (Burnell) Wheeler and Cleo (Paul) Steffen; brother-in-law, Lee Drumm; and niece, Debbie Ray.
Open visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, July 4th followed by visitation with the family present from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., at Roland Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, July 5th at Zion Lutheran Church in Atlantic. Burial will be held in the Evergreen Cemetery in Red Oak.
Memorials may be made to the family for later designation to Zion Lutheran Church or the Diabetes Association.
Roland Funeral Service is caring for Joan’s family and her arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.
IN REMEMBRANCE OF
Joan Lafrenz
BORN
September 13, 1933 - Griswold, Iowa
DIED
July 1, 2019 - Atlantic, Iowa
At the age of 85 years, 9 months, 18 days
FUNERAL SERVICE
10:30 a.m., Friday, July 5, 2019
Zion Lutheran Church - Atlantic, Iowa
OFFICIATING
Pastor Daryl Tompkins
ORGANIST
Karen Benson
MUSICAL SELECTIONS
“I’m But A Stranger Here” #748
“Abide With Me” by Randall Breckerbaumer
“How Great Thou Art” # 801
CASKET BEARERS
Landon Preston
Tanner Preston
Ray Preston
Allen Conner
FLOWER COMMITTEE
Linda Robinson
Laurie Andersen
Julie Gade
INTERMENT
2:00 p.m.
Evergreen Cemetery - Red Oak, Iowa
The family appreciates your care and invites you to join them for
lunch immediately following the service, in the church fellowship hall.