Jean Lorenson

Mrs. Lorenson, age 81, died December 8, 2007. Born April 1, 1926 in Detroit, to Arthur and Frank (Pack) Bower, she had lived in the White Lake area the past 69 years. On May 14, 1946, in Whitehall, she married the former Morrey R. Lorenson and had been a homemaker all her life. Mrs. Lorenson was Muskegon County Mother of the Year in 1973 and was the 1973 DeMolay Mother of the Year. She was a past Muskegon County Businesswoman of the Year and worked diligently with the Muskegon Area Retarded Citizens (M.A.R.C.) for years where she served as President and Executive Board member. She was the first signer of the State Mandatory Special Education Plan #198-192 for mandatory education for all handicapped persons. She helped organize the first committee for Parents of Downs Syndrome. She was awarded numerous awards from Whitehall Schools and the Muskegon Area Intermediate School District Board and was given a life membership as a VIP in the Algot Johnson Post #69 Auxiliary, having been a member for over 50 years. Mrs. Lorenson won 3 state Americanism awards and a National Americanism Award for her programs and articles, and served as a Civilian Ambassador to the United Nations for 6 years. She was a volunteer at the Veterans Hospital in Battle Creek and served as an Air Spotter during World War II for the Red Cross. She was a registered Charter Member of the World War II Memorial Society and her dream and work was realized as the World War II memorial was erected in Washington DC. She served as a Board Member on the Muskegon Council for Aging and helped to develop the Meals on Wheels program and senior citizen centers throughout Muskegon County. A member of White Lake Congregational UCC, she held many offices in Mayflower Guild, the Fellowship Board and taught Sunday School. Mrs. Lorenson was active in the early revitalizing of the now Howmet Playhouse. She was preceded in death by a brother, Jerry Rice. FAMILY: Her husband, Morrey; 1 son, Steve (Gina) Lorenson of Montague; daughter, Vicki (beloved son-in-law, Robert) Quintilliano and very "special" daughter, Debra Lorenson, whom she selflessly cared for for 44 years at home, both of Whitehall; grandchildren, N. Scott (Christy) Quinilliano of Grand Rapids, Jared Lorenson and Phillip Lorenson, both of Grand Rapids, and Amanda Lorenson and Jessica Lorenson, both of Montague; a brother, Ferrell (Vera) Bower of Montague; sister-in-law, Lorna Torgeson of Spring Lake; many nieces and nephews. SERVICE: Wednesday, December 12, 2007 at 2:00 pm from White Lake Congregational UCC with the Rev. Keith N. Koebel and the Rev. Pam L. Koebel officiating. Interment will be made in Oakhurst Cemetery - Whitehall. VISITING HOURS: Wednesday, 12:30 until service time at the church. DONATIONS: Memorial Fund of White Lake Congregational UCC, 18096 S. Mears Ave., Whitehall, 49461 or White Lake Ambulance Service, 119 S. Baldwin St., Whitehall, 49461.