Service: A graveside service will begin at 2:00 p.m. Friday, September 9, 2022 at the SD Veterans Cemetery in Sioux Falls, SD followed by a reception at Hiawatha Golf Course, Canton, SD.
Nancy Lohrenz, age 79, died Monday, July 11, 2022 surrounded by her family at Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD. A graveside service will begin at 2:00 p.m. Friday, September 9, 2022 at the SD Veterans Cemetery in Sioux Falls, SD followed by a reception at Hiawatha Golf Course, Canton, SD. In lieu of flowers, Nancy’s wish was for memorials to be directed to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
Nancy Elizabeth was born on August 5, 1942 in Sioux Falls, SD to John Millard and Grace Elizabeth (McKisick) Gibson. She graduated from Mason City High School in 1960 and later earned a Master’s Degree in Education from Mankato State. Nancy was blessed with a daughter, Sarah, from her marriage to William Gunther, who she later divorced. While working at Osborn Labs, Nancy met a good-looking salesman named James Lohrenz. They were married on May 12, 1975 in Sioux Falls, SD, adding Jim’s children Jeff and Barb to the family.
The couple made their home in Canton, SD before moving to Sioux Falls four years ago. In addition to raising her children, Nancy helped raise Canton’s children as a long-time secretary in the Canton School District. Through the years, Nancy made a positive impact on countless children’s lives.
Nancy loved the opera and was a season ticket holder to both the MN and Omaha operas. She and Ann Tryon would often attend the evening showing of the MN opera before racing down the next morning to attend the matinee showing of the Omaha opera. She also enjoyed antiquing, decorating, and traveling with her family. She was a member of the Teachers Union and after retiring, enjoyed outings with Canton’s retired teachers’ group.
Grateful for sharing her life are her husband of 47 years, Jim; children, Sarah Gunther, Barb (Tom) Loring, and Jeff Lohrenz; grandchildren, Ashley, Jason and Jessica; 9 great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Albert Payne; along with numerous extended family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Judy Payne, and granddaughter, Jennifer Loring.
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So sorry to hear this. She was a lovely lady and a great asset to Canton High School all the years she worked there! Our sympathy to her family for their loss. Pat and Craig Dittberner
Our deepest sympathy to Jim and family. Keep memories always in your heart . Mike & Dawn Banks 🙏
Love this girl so much, my sympathy and hugs to her family. Nancy was a great friend and contact at the school for all my children’s lives at CHS. She has blessed our lives and for that I am grateful.
Sorry for your loss. She was so energetic & nice every day I saw her at the school. She will be missed.
She was such a wonderful woman. Who was the best secretary ever. I got to know her well through the years I had at Canton middle and high school.
May she Rest In Peace. She spread joy to all the kids in canton with lollipops most days. I used to go to the canton elementary school years ago.
My deepest sympathy to the families of a wonderful woman. Loved her style.
My heart goes out to Nancy and her family have very fond memories of her smiling face in the office prayers and thoughts go out to all
Nancy will be dearly missed. She was a wonderful secretary and neighbor. My sincere condolences to Jim and family.
She was an amazing person! She help me out to many times to mention! I was a bit of a hand full in my younger years so I spent most of my High school years in the office with her! so I had the opportunity to get to know her pretty well! The world would be a much better place if there were more people like her!! My sincere condolences to her family!
Our deepest sympathy to you all Nancy was such a special lady I loved visiting with her she was my secretary when I was in school as well as my children’s it amazed me how well her memory was
Nancy was one of the nicest people I have ever had the honor to know. When you talked to her you felt like family and not just a parent with a problem. She will be deeply missed by everyone that knew her.
Bless you and you family, she taught me what classy and kindness can do , she will always be remembered by me. Loved our talks about decorating, flowers and her kindness to my children. God blessed us with her, so sorry for your loss.
Sincere condolences to all Nancy’s family, especially to my classmate, Sarah. Nancy will be forever remembered as kind, elegant, and classy. She touched the lives of so many as they made their way through the halls of Canton High and definitely guided many of us on our path to adulthood and success. Blessings,
Vicki (Oliver) Voss
So sorry to read this news. I was new to Canton at the age of 16, but Nancy became one of my biggest supporters and friends. She had a heart of gold, caring for all of us, only hoping we succeeded in life after high school. She will truly be missed but forever left an imprint on my heart
She will always be remembered as the beautiful office secretary!! Wonderful person with all her children of numerous years of working in the education field!!! Prayers to the family!!