Lorena M. Herod

Lorena M. Herod, 90, of Topeka, passed away on Monday, May 3, 2010 at Brookside Manor in Overbrook, KS. She was born on April 20, 1920 in Farlington, KS, the daughter of Otto and Anna Stelljes Mein.

Lorena was raised on the family farm and then as a young woman, she supported our nation's WWII efforts by working in a defense plant in the Chicago area. Lorena's hobbies included sewing, gardening and crocheting. She especially enjoyed the beauty of flower gardens. She was a former member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Hepler, KS, Zion Lutheran Church in Pittsburg, KS and was presently a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Topeka. Lorena married Jack Herod on May 7, 1944 in Farlington. After many years of farming in Farlington, she and her husband moved to Pittsburg. He preceded her in death on February 5, 1998. She later moved to Topeka to be near family. She was also preceded in death by one grandson; Stephen J. Herod, two sisters; Irene and Kathleen Mein and three brothers; Ferdinand, Orville and Leonard Mein.

Survivors include her children; Donna (Rob) Moriarty of Lincoln, AL, Susan (Joseph) Albright of Norcross, GA, Jay (Marie) Herod of Oakhurst, NJ, Maureen (Jim) Stinson of Topeka, eleven grandchildren; Lisa Wells, Rylan (Anne) Wells, Steffanie (Will) Porter, Lindsey Albright, Kari (Adam) Rambo, Christopher, Timothy and Caitlin Herod, Jamie, Ben and Valerie Stinson, two great-grandchildren; Liam and Evan Porter, one sister; Ella Nita Boyd of Wheaton, Il and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday at St. John's Lutheran Church. Graveside committal services will follow at 2:30 p.m. at Fort Scott National Cemetery, 900 East National Ave., Fort Scott, KS. Lorena will lie in state and the family will receive friends from 6:30-8:00 p.m. Thursday at Penwell-Gabel Southeast Chapel. Memorial contributions may be given to St. John's Lutheran Church, 901 S.W. Fillmore St., Topeka, KS 66606 or Heart Of America Hospice, 3715 S.W. 29th St., Ste, 100, Topeka, KS 66614.