Doris ‘Lorene’ Lowe

Submitted Story

Published: Wednesday, January 21st, 2009

  Doris Lorene Lowe was born Aug. 12, 1920, at Sanborn, Minn., to Hans and Minnie (Carlson) Hanson. She moved to Hanson County, S.D., as a young girl. They lived on a farm and she attended country school. After completing her education she moved to Mitchell, S.D., where she worked for a short time in the local hospital. She was a lifelong member of the New Home Lutheran Church in Mitchell. Lorene married Gideon Lee Simpson at Mitchell on July 3, 1943. They lived in numerous places in South Dakota. He drove trucks and Lorene was a homemaker. Lee died in 1978. While living in Sturgis, S.D., Lorene was active in the Meade County Senior Center. She lived in New Underwood, S.D., and later moved north of Rapid City, S.D., to live with her son in law. She later moved to Rapid City. Lorene loved cats, plants, flowers and being out of doors. Lorene died Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2009 at the Fountain Springs Health Care Facility in Rapid City. She was 88. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Lee Simpson in 1978 and Claude Lowe in 1986; daughter, Deanna Funell in 1993; sister, Hazel Simpson in 2007; brother, Wayne in 1928; and her parents. Survivors include her daughter, Keri Simpson of Aurora, Colo.; sister, Alyce (Vern) Knutson of Lakewood, Colo.; two brothers, Ken (Arbutus) Hanson of Custer, S.D., and Darrell (Bev) Hanson of Mitchell; son-in-law and caregiver, Jim Funell of Rapid City; six grandchildren, Darwin (Connie) Hellekson of Philip, S.D., Dawn (James) Heppler og Fort Knox, Ky., Darin (Tina) Hellekson of Anaconda, Mont., Rocky (Rachelle) Simpson of Aurora, Michelle (Michael) Qualls of Billings, Mont., and Michael Funell and Sidney Eide of Hot Springs, S.D.; and 15 great-grandchildren. Funeral services were Jan. 17 at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis with Pastor Kent Narum officiating. Burial followed at the Bear Butte Cemetery in Sturgis. Memorials have been established to the Fountain Springs Health Care Center in Rapid City and the New Home Lutheran Church in Mitchell.