Frances B. Lorenz

 Frances B. Lorenz, age 85, of Lancaster, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 17, 2009, at the Lancaster Care Center, Lancaster. She was born in Platteville on February 25, 1924, the fourth of five daughters born to John and Lucile (Farr) Buser. Fran graduated from Platteville High School in 1941. On April 17, 1948, she was united in marriage to Robert Lorenz at the  First Methodist Church in Platteville. They were blessed with a daughter, Mary Lucile on October 19, 1949, who died in infancy. The couple was married nearly thirty years before Roberts sudden death in 1976. Fran was employed for over sixty-seven years by the Grant County Abstract Office and worked until just a few months ago. She was an active member of the Bethlehem Evangelical and Reformed Church of Lancaster. Fran loved reading, working, watching old movies, traveling and spending time with her family. She was known for her smile, her laugh, and her love of life and was dearly loved by many.

Fran is survived by her many nieces and nephews, to whom she was a second mother and grandmother. They include: Victoria Krohn, Verona; Cheryl Bingham, Mt. Horeb; Judith (Robert) Drousth, Madison; Steven (Laura) Hall, Brooklyn; John Munson, Lancaster; Nancy (Rick) Sedbrook, Potosi; great nieces and nephews: Bryan Bingham, Sarah (Craig) Jordan, Jason (Deanna) Bingham, Margaret Krohn, Amy (Andy) Pennekamp, Steven Sedbrook, Nicholas Drousth, Alexander Drousth, Natalie, Nicole and Nathan Hall; and ten great-great nieces and nephews. She is further survived by four nieces and a nephew on Roberts side of the family.

Fran was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Bob, her daughter Mary Lu, and her sisters: Margaret (Howard) Spiegel, Dorothy (Wilmer) Corlett, Elizabeth Bette (George) Hall and Carol (Douglas) Munson.

Funeral services were held on Monday, September 21, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. at the Bethlehem E&R Church in Lancaster with Rev. Mark Dieter officiating. Burial was in Hillside Cemetery, Lancaster. Friends called on Sunday, September 20, 2009, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Schwartz Funeral Home in Lancaster and from 9:00 a.m. until time of services at the church on Monday. The family suggests memorials be given to the Bethlehem E&R Church or the Bethlehem E&R  Church Window Fund.