Sara "Susie" Sue Lorensen

The family of Sara Sue (Susie) Lorensen, age 94, is sad to announce the passing of their beloved mother on April 6, 2021. Susie was born in Joplin, Missouri, to Marvin and Helen (Pautz) Alexander. She had one sister: Arretta Alexander. Her father was a commercial artist whose job required numerous moves throughout Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri. Susie attended the University of Nebraska and joined Kappa Kappa Gamma, where she made life-long friends and met the love of her life, Keith Richard Lorensen. They returned to Pender where together they built a successful and prosperous business, Lorensen Lumber & Grain. Her sisters-in-law, Mary and Ann Lorensen, became her close friends along with the wonderful ladies who got together every day for coffee and moral support. She was a Cub Scout Den Mother, a Girl Scout Leader and Presbyterian Church Choir Director for many years. She learned to golf and was a Nebraska Women’s Amateur Golf Association Past-President and a USGA Senior Women’s Tour Alternate Marshall. Bridge Club taught life skills that enabled Susie and Keith to easily find friends throughout life. Susie found the permanent home she was always looking for — in Pender. Susie especially cherished her children and their spouses: Karen Jones, (Paul) of Phoenix, Ore., Retta Mullaney (Joseph) of Laguna Woods, Calif., Mark Lorensen (Jana) and Lynn Sorenson (Chip) of Pender. Wonderful family dinners were a labor of love throughout her life in Pender and California. Susie was tremendously proud of her treasured grandchildren: Retta’s kids, Anthony Mullaney (Samantha) and Paige Baird (Alex). Mark's kids, Lily and Ali Lorensen. Lynn’s kids, Jeff Baker (Jenny) and Susie's two great-grandsons, Jaxon and Jordan, and Sara Baker Langan (Tom). The grandchildren and beloved grand-dogs spent many hours in their grandparent's homes. A.J and Paige loved their annual trip to Pender where they learned to light matches and fireworks at a perilously young age. Trips to Okoboji with Mom and the cousins were an important part of their childhood. Chip's kids Chance, Paige, Jase and Justice Sorenson were a joyful addition to the family. Susie enjoyed traveling with Karen in England and Ireland and the many trips she made to Oregon and California to visit and attend their theatre productions. Trips to Napa with Retta, Lynn, Jana, Karen and Paige as designated drivers kept her young at heart. Keith and Susie eventually retired to Southern California where they lived their best life and celebrated 72 years of marriage. Susie treasured and loved the friends she had in Pender. They were often in her thoughts and conversations, never to be forgotten. Susie was preceded in death by her parents, husband Keith, and sister Arretta. Celebration of Life to be determined at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Pender Community Foundation, The Diabetes Foundation, Alzheimer’s Foundation or the Nebraska Humane Society.