Reta Helen Pletcher Lorenz

Reta Helen Pletcher Lorenz was born on July 9, 1919 in Goshen, Ind. to Mertie Shank Pletcher and Calvin Pletcher and passed away Dec. 31, 2015.

Reta grew up on the family farm, learning much over the years about gardening, sewing, cooking and farming. As a teenager, Reta made the decision to give her life to God and to join the Dunkard Brethren Church. Her trust and faith in God was a guiding force to the rest of her life.

On Nov. 28, 1937, Reta married Paul Lorenz. Reta and Paul lived for many years in Goshen, Ind. From there, they moved their family to Dallas Center, Iowa. They also made a home in Phoenix, Ariz., before retiring to their final home in Riverside, Wyo. During their 64 years of marriage, Reta and Paul raised four children and welcomed grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Although Reta said she didn't know anything about cooking when she got married, she became a dedicated wife and mother. Everyone in Reta's family benefited from her fine cooking and sewing skills. Handmade clothes and quilts, along with Reta's famous peanut butter pie and banana bread, are just a few examples of Reta's skills as a homemaker that her family and friends always treasured.

In recent years, Reta made her home in Cheyenne, Wyo., at both Point Frontier Assisted Living, and most recently, Aspen Winds Assisted Living. The friends she made and the care she received was a great benefit to her. Reta also attended High Prairie Mennonite Church in Carpenter, Wyo. The friendship and support of this congregation was a great blessing to Reta in her last years on this earth.

Reta is survived by her children, Richard (Judy) Lorenz, of Mansfield, Mo.; Fred Lorenz, of Encampment, Wyo.; and Alice Poncho, of Anchorage, Alaska. She also has three surviving brothers and one sister: Virgil (Marcheta) Pletcher of Lake Forest, Calif.; Dwight Pletcher of Goshen, Ind.; Eldon (Karen) Pletcher, of Goshen, Ind.; and Carol Heuer, of McHenry, Ill.

Reta has five grandchildren: Reta, Susan, Rick, James and Shannon. She also has six great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

Preceding Reta in death are her husband, Paul, a son, Danny, her parents, her step-mother Grace Pletcher, and brothers Howard, Floyd, Claude, Wayne and Dayton.

Reta leaves behind many friends and acquaintances in her extended church family and in the communities of Encampment, Laramie and Cheyenne.

Services were held on Jan. 4, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at the High Prairie Mennonite Church in Carpenter, Wyo.

The family is asking that donations honoring Reta and her love of learning and reading be made to the following organizations: Laramie County Library, Homebound Services or High Prairie Mennonite School.

Services were under the direction of Wiederspahn-Radomsky Chapel.