Van Gorp, Lorena Ellis Kerr

Lorena Ellis Kerr Van Gorp passed away Oct. 28, 2009, following a long illness. The family will greet friends Sunday, Nov. 1, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home. Services will be 9 a.m. Monday at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories. Burial: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.

Lorena was born May 7, 1924. The eldest child of William Eugene Kerr and Alida Tabor Kerr, Lorena grew up in Davenport, Iowa. Her maternal grandmother, Mary Lorena Ellis Tabor, lived in the family home as well. When Lorena was 13, her brother, Eugene Kerr, was born. In recent years she took great pleasure in developing a relationship with Gene's wife, Jan.

Lorena and William Eugene Van Gorp were joined in marriage on March 8, 1946. Van's early career with the telephone company kept the young couple on the move during the first few years of their marriage. They lived in Davenport, Cedar Rapids, Webster City and Waterloo before returning to Cedar Rapids a second time and making it their permanent home. Lorena and Van also owned a summer cottage on Lake Delhi. During their retirement the couple wintered in New Braunfels, Texas.

Lorena and Van were the parents of two daughters, Lorena Patricia and Suzanne Marie. Eventually their circle of love grew to include Pat's life partner, Beverly Mulligan, and Suzanne's husband, Stephen Blomme. Lorena and Van were grandparents to Jason Allen and Justin Eugene Bloome.

In her later years, Lorena came to know the life partners each grandson had chosen, Lisa Marie Tormey Blomme and Alexa Dawn Dolleslager. She also delighted in the company of her two great-grandchildren, Emily and Mathew Blomme, as well as looked forward to the birth of Phoenix Van Blomme.

Lorena and Van were close to their nieces and their husbands, Tammy Kerr Crull (Richard) and Terry Kerr Goodall (Robert), and to their children, Jamie and Ashley Crull and Tyler and Megan Goodall. She was enchanted to hear stories about Ashley's daughter, Renae.

Van worked for Northwestern Bell Telephone Co. for over 30 years. Lorena was a homemaker when her children were small. Eventually she went to work for the telephone company as well.

Lorena and Van enjoyed a happy marriage and a wide circle of friends. Their social life was quite active. They were excellent ballroom dancers and great supporters of the theater and symphony. Both Lorena and Van were committed to their community, serving as volunteers in numerous civic organizations.

One of the greatest gifts they gave their daughters was the opportunity to travel to virtually every state in the continental U.S. While the family enjoyed camping in the national parks, the girls also received an outstanding education in history, culture and social issues of the time.

Van passed away Dec. 16, 1994. Lorena and Van were married for 48 years.

The family requests no flowers. Memorial contributions can be sent to St. Luke's Hospice.

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