Lois M. Lorenz

Lois Marie Lorenz, of McHenry and formerly of Barrington, entered Heaven’s gates peacefully on October 20, 2020 at the age of 90. Assured of her eternal home with Jesus, she took great comfort in the promises of Scripture. “I long to dwell in your tent forever and I take refuge in the shelter of your wings.  Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from Him.” Psalms 61:4, Psalm 62:5

Lois (with twin sister Doris) was born April 19, 1930 in Chicago, IL, the daughter of the late John Enzenbacher and Dorothy Barney. She loved to spend time with family, travel throughout the United States and Europe learning the local history, and enjoyed the beauty of nature wherever she happened to be.   She had a wonderful gift for meeting new people and making them feel welcome and ‘just like old friends’.

Preceded in death by the love of her life, Thomas Lorenz, Lois was the loving mother of the late Larry Lorenz, Michael Lorenz, Marian (Grant) Gustafson, Christy Meany, and Richard (Wendy) Lorenz; beloved grandmother of Erin Meany, Nathan (Catherine) Gustafson, Sarah Meany, Ryan (Laura) Gustafson, Samantha Meany, Spencer Lorenz, and Sydney Lorenz; cherished great-grandmother of Kairos Lorenz and Wayne Gustafson; beloved sister of Carol (Fred) Lode, the late Doris Gianotti, the late John Enzenbacher, and the late Buddy Enzenbacher.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the risks associated, the family has made the difficult choice to keep family and friends safe by forgoing an in-person memorial & funeral service. So, in lieu of services, please click on the 'Tribute Wall' above to leave a condolence, special message, favorite memory and even favorite photo for Lois' family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Lois' memory to Samaritan's Purse International Relief at https://www.samaritanspurse.org/

“Each one of us gives each one of you special thanks for your blessing in the life of our mom.  While we rejoice that she is free from her health struggles and is now in the arms of Jesus, we also grieve for the loss of her place in each of our lives.  That vacancy will always be filled with special memories of her love for each of us and our families as well as each of you. She was greatly loved and will be greatly missed.”
-Michael, Marian, Christy & Richard

Michael remembers : “One of my most prominent memories of mom was when I was in my early teen years and she sat me down and looked me straight in the eye and said “Look, I know you’re gonna do stuff and just I want you to know that I trust your judgement and I trust you!”  While that statement didn’t necessarily keep me out of mischief, it was in the forefront of my mind when temptation presented itself and kept me in check.  Having her trust in me was something I always held dear all the years of my life.”

Marian shares : “I will certainly miss our random road trips and spontaneous lunches we enjoyed together.  It was then that I heard mom’s heart the most when she shared with me her memories, past experiences and dreams, both lost and fulfilled.  I learned from her the importance of dedication to marriage and family, staying true to your convictions, and to treat others with respect.  Mom was one of the strongest & most resilient women I know.  We talked every day, even just to say ‘I love you and am thinking of you’.  I will miss her dearly and am greatly comforted that she is in Heaven and we will one day be reunited there.

Christy says : “Mom was the best grandma to my kids, always very thoughtful, sending and giving cute gifts and treats at every holiday and ‘just because’.  She had such joy spending time with all the grandkids! I remember the endless road trips we took and vacations out west, she always made it so fun.  She was a huge support to me at a time in my life I needed it most and has always been there when I needed her.  A recent funny moment that makes me smile is a couple days ago, when she decided it was her time to go, and she had said her goodbyes to us, she told Marian that she was done fighting and was giving up.  She said she was pushing the button . . . the red button.  Marian later discovered that she was pushing the red button on her TV remote!! Leave it to my mom to check out by pushing the button on the TV remote!  That is a memory that will always give me a little laugh!  Love it and love you, Mom!”

Richard shares : “The example of mom’s faithful love for dad and the example of their enduring marriage has carried with me into my own marriage.  That love was naturally extended to all of us from birth to adulthood.  This has led Wendy & I into the ministry of Worldwide Marriage Encounter and our desire & calling to be that same example for others.

For those I love and For those that love me. . . .

When I am gone, release me, let me go . . . I have so many things to see and do.
You mustn’t tie yourself to me with tears, be happy that we had so many years.
I gave you my love. You can only guess, how much you gave me in happiness.
I thank you for the love you each have shown, but now it’s time I travelled on alone.

So grieve a while for me, if grieve you must. Then let your grief be comforted by trust.
It’s only for a while that we must part, so be blessed by the memories that lie within your heart.
I won’t be far away, for life goes on, but if you need me, call and I will come.
Though you can’t see me or touch me, I’ll be near. And if you listen with your heart, you’ll hear
All of my love around you soft and clear.

And then, when you must come this way alone . . .
I’ll greet you at the gates with a smile and “Welcome Home.”