Lorene Elizabeth Rutschman Grapengater, 92, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Wednesday, July 13, 2016.
She was born Nov. 30, 1923, in Whitewater, to Julius and Martha Wiens Rutschman. She was the fifth of nine children. She graduated from Whitewater High School. She married Ron Grapengater of Newton, Kansas on Feb. 17, 1945; they were married 71 years.
Her employment, all in Newton, included: The Selective Service during World War II, FW Woolworth Department Store and Dillons Food Stores.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Alvin Rutschman of Wichita; and her sisters, Ella Miller of Santa Barbara, Calif., Blanche Early of Canon City, Colo., twin sister Florene Lettau of Newton, Bernice Unruh of Newton, Delores Schenewerk of Wichita and Julia Decker of Sun City West, Ariz.
She is survived by: her husband, Ron Grapengater of Newton; her brother, Marvin Rutschman of Dodge City; her four children, Bob (Elaine) Grapengater of Pueblo West, Colo., Rick (Susan) Grapengater of Tulsa, Okla., Dana (Kim) Grapengater of Garden City and Mary Beth (Garry) Pennington of Chanute; nine grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
She was a member of Salem United Methodist Church and served in many ministries during many years.
Services were on Monday, July 18, at Salem United Methodist Church, 115 Old Main Street, Newton. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Newton.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Harvey County Safe House or the Harvey County Homeless Shelter in care of Petersen Funeral Home.
