Lorene Hinrichs, age 99 of Sac City, IA, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 18, 2023, at Park View Rehabilitation Center in Sac City. Lorene Maxine Kruskop was born on April 12, 1923, to parents Henry and Clara (Bartels) Kruskop in Lytton, IA. She grew up on a farm north of Lytton and attended country school through the eighth grade. Lorene graduated in 1940 from Lytton High School.
On May 24, 1940, Lorene married Russell Hinrichs at Emanuel-St. John Lutheran Church in Lytton. This union was blessed with two children, Dennis and Janet. Together they raised their family on a farm northwest of Lytton. Lorene was a homemaker who kept quite busy with things such as gardening/canning, raising chickens, sewing, and quilting. She was an active life-long member of Emanuel-St. John Lutheran Church where she served on many committees throughout the years. She started as the church organist at the age of sixteen and would remain in that role well into her eighties.
Lorene was very musically inclined; music was such a huge part of her life. In the 1950’s, she was the organist for her own band called The Rhythmaires. She also played solo at horse shows, traveling to forty-three different towns/cities to play with her organ in-tow. In the 70’s, Lorene was part of the Jane Russell Ensemble, a musical ensemble that traveled to different clubs and ballrooms. Lorene played the organ/piano for funerals, graduations, weddings and so many other events during her lifetime. She and Russell also enjoyed visiting area dance halls on a regular basis. She loved to listen to Bill Gaither, Danny O’Donnell and Lawrence Welk.
Lorene didn’t just sew, she was an accomplished seamstress. She made complete outfits for not only herself but for her children and many others. She was also a quilter and enjoyed assisting at the church on Do-Days. She was a member of the Lytton Women’s Club, Lytton Heritage Club, and Red Hat Society. She was the Director of Lytton’s Music Club for 50 years. Lorene organized the Lytton Gala Days Variety Show for many years, which was something she always looked forward to. She was a woman of many talents who loved the Lord, her family, and her community. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Survivors include her children, Dennis Hinrichs of Sac City, IA, and Janet Dunlap of San Diego, CA; grandchildren: Matthew (Jamie) Hinrichs of Castle Rock, CO, Mitchell (Nicole) Hinrichs of Sac City, IA, Megan Johnson of Grimes, IA, Nathan (Annie) Dunlap of Lytton, IA, and Ashley Dunlap (husband Jesse) of San Diego, CA; great-grandchildren: Trevor, Addison, and Ryleigh Hinrichs, Melana, Grant, and Amelia Hinrichs, Brinn, Cael, and Cade Johnson, and Ethan Dunlap; many nieces, nephews, other extended family members and friends.
Lorene was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Clara Kruskop; husband Russell Hinrichs in 1995; brother Melvin (Wanda) Kruskop, sister Elta (Clarence) Dettmann; grandson-in-law Cory Johnson; and special friends Lynel Onken and Hanford Voyles.
