Phyllis S. Lorek

Lorek, Phyllis S.

Phyllis Lorek, age 71, passed away April 21, 2008 unexpectedly at her home. She was born January 29, 1937 in Omaha, NE to the late Phillip and Amelia (Bruning) Schmidt.

She earned a Math degree from Fontbonne College in St. Louis and worked in the earliest phases of the computer industry. On June 13, 1964 she married David Lorek in Park Ridge, IL.

She enthusiastically participated in the life of the Fox Valley Catholic church and community. Over the years she worked in scouting, served on PTAs, parish councils, school boards, Diocesan advisory consultative bodies, sports support groups, and chaired a leadership study commission for the Diocesan Synod.

She made significant contributions to the reorganization of the Catholic educational systems in Appleton, Neenah/Menasha and Oshkosh. She worked at St. Mary and St. Bernard parishes, and worked as Business Administrator at St. Phillip Catholic Community in Green Bay, initiating the coordination of accounting practices across the diocese.

In retirement she enjoyed travel, sewing, knitting, visiting her children and grandchildren, and volunteering on the Boards of Directors of the Mount Tabor Center and the Community Clothes Closet.

She was a loving and dedicated mother and grandmother and will be sadly missed by a large community of family and friends. She will be remembered for her strong will, intelligence, and articulateness. She courageously battled and beat several forms of cancer for eight years and was currently facing a new round of treatments. She endured much in order to live life to the fullest.

Phyllis is survived by her children: Amy of Bloomington, IN, Andrea (Kevin) Strauss of Rochester, MN, Melissa (Mike) Ginter, of Chicago, IL, Steve (Stacy) of Loveland OH, four grandchildren, and a brother, Tom Schmidt of Jacksonville, FL. Her husband, David, and son, Greg, preceded her in death.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday, April 27, 2008, at the funeral home and on Monday at the church from 10:00 am, until the time of the mass. A prayer service will be held at 7:00 p.m. that evening. Funeral Services will be held on Monday, April 28, 2008, at 11:00 am, at St. Mary Catholic Church, 312 State Street, Appleton, with Bishop Robert Morneau officiating. A memorial is being established through the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, PO Box 563, Appleton, WI 54912. 920.830.1290. Burial will be at St. Mary's Cemetery.

The family wishes to express a special thank you to all the caregivers that helped Phyllis in her journey, and to all the many friends that remembered Phyllis in their prayers.

Wichmann Funeral Home
537 N. Superior Street
Appleton 739-1231
www.wichmannfargo.com