Lorenc, Adeline Lopata

Adeline Lopata Lorenc, 99 years young, of Oelwein, formerly of Fairfax, went to be with her Lord on Jan. 20, 2012. Services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 24, at Brosh Chapel in Cedar Rapids, located at 2121 Bowling St. SW. Burial will follow in Czech National Cemetery, Cedar Rapids. Visitation will be from 4 until 7 p.m. Monday at Brosh Chapel in Cedar Rapids.

She was born Oct. 7, 1912, in Fairfax, the daughter of Louis and Sylvia (Serbousek) Lopata.

Adeline married Ivan Lorenc on Nov. 16, 1937, at First Presbyterian Church near Ely. Ivan and Adeline farmed near Ely on the Lorenc family farm until 1940. At that time they moved to the Lopata family farm and Adeline's original family home near Fairfax.

Adeline was a member of First Presbyterian Church near Ely, where she enjoyed many years in the Johanna's ?making kolaches and chicken noodle soup for the annual Chicken Noodle soup supper. She was also a longtime member of the ZCBJ Lodge in Swisher.

Her music career started in her teens when she played in Czech bands around the Cedar Rapids area. Adeline continued her love for music by giving piano lessons to many, many students in the area. Her last student and special friend, Bill Thompson, was given lessons when our mother was in her 90s.

Adeline loved music especially when her grandchildren and great-grandchildren would play music on their instruments and sing. She would sit and take it all in with a big smile on her face.

Adeline also worked at College Community Schools for 15 years as a cook. When neighbor kids would come through the line they always got a smile and maybe the serving spoon would get a little fuller.

Several years after Ivan passed, she moved in with son, Allan, at his home in Oelwein. She enjoyed cooking family meals, baking, playing cards with the neighbor ladies and church functions at the Presbyterian Church in Oelwein.

Adeline is survived by her children, Donald (Marilyn) of Venice, Fla., Allan Lorenc of Walford and Kathy Lorenc Illig (David) of Fairfax; grandchildren, Teresa (Brad) Newton, Debra (Ryan) Miller, Brenda (Greg) Patton, Nathaniel Illig and Michaela Illig; great-grandchildren, Children Racheal Newton, Ashley Newton, Kyle Miller, Kayla Miller, Kevyn Miller, Joey Buzzotta and Nina Buzzotta; and special family members, Yvette Wong, Elaine Wong Menke (Nick), Peter Wong, Carson Menke and Brecker Menke.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at .

Published in The Gazette Jan. 22, 2012