Loranette Schlenker Obituary (2013)

Loranette (Lore) Schlenker passed away at home on September 20, 2013 at the age of 59, with her loving husband Keith at her side, following a hard fought battle with cancer. Lore, the daughter of William and Maxine Larsen was born in Seattle and had made Selah her home since 1968. It is rare that a person finds their soul mate, but Lore and Keith are each other's soul mates. They fell in love as teenagers and were inseparable throughout their courtship and 38 years of marriage. Lore graduated from Selah High School in 1972 and attended Yakima Valley Community College and Yakima Valley Business School. After completing her education, Lore worked at Whitehead Insurance and then in the accounting department at Tree Top for several years. Lore also worked for the Selah School District in Food Services. Lore's faith was very important to her. She was a Priest in Community of Christ Church. Lore was also the financial officer for both the Yakima and Selah congregations and also for the Central Washington District of the church. Lore found her calling in working with children and youth and her ministry was far reaching. It included volunteering as a Den Mother for Cub Scouts and a volunteer for the Boy Scouts. She was also a Camp Fire leader, classroom volunteer at the Selah Schools, a Church Youth Group leader and Sunday School Teacher as well as a teacher at many camps and church reunions for preschool through senior high aged youth. With her love of children, it was only natural that she would become a home day care provider for children. She opened her in-home day care in 2005. She was especially fond of the special kids in her day care family, Izik, Will, Mimi, Kaiden, Kianna, Tiana and Gregory. Lore's favorite things to do were camping with her family at Clear Lake and Seaside, spending time with her grandchildren, especially baking cookies with James, watching Monique dance and David play sports. Lore was preceded in death by her grandparents Anton and Florence Montes and Albert and Margaret Larsen. She is survived by her parents William and Maxine Larsen, her husband Keith T. Schlenker, daughter Janice Schlenker, all of Selah; and son Thomas Schlenker of Tacoma. Grandchildren Monique and David Cook and James Mathews of Selah, sister Donna (Mike) Smith of Yakima, brother and sister in law Wes and Mary Schlenker of Oregon City, brother in law Ted Schlenker and nieces and nephews Jarom Schlenker and Sara Schlenker of Missouri, Katy (John) Rauch and Katy and John's son James of Bellevue, Mike Smith of Renton, Laura (Joe) Glowman of Darrington, Jason (Molly) Schlenker and their children Rohnan and Ryder of Gladstone. A Celebration of Lore's life will be held at the Selah Community of Christ Church, 330 McGonagle Road, Selah on September 28, 2013 at 2 PM with a reception to follow. Lore's dear friend, Elder Mary Wickstrom will preside at the celebration. In lieu of flowers, Lore has asked that her ministry be continued through donations to Outreach International. Checks should be made payable to Outreach International and mailed to Brookside Funeral Home, P.O. Box 9907, Yakima, WA 98909. SERVICES Funeral service Saturday, September 28, 2013 2:00 PM Selah Community of Christ Church 330 McGonagle Rd. Selah, WA 98936