Lorene Elizabeth Giessenbier

Lorene was born on October 20,1926 to Chris and Bertha Keltsch in St. Joseph, Missouri. She was baptized into the Christian faith on November 14, 1926, confirmed in the faith on March 17, 1939, and entered into eternity August 4, 2025.

She was an athlete in school and especially enjoyed playing volleyball and basketball and doing acrobatics. After high school, she worked at the Westab, a stationary factory, for six years before she married her future husband, Rudy. Lorene was a full-time homemaker until her children were in school, then she worked part-time as a lunch server for the Shawnee Mission schools. Later, she worked 10 years in food service for the Shawnee Mission Medical Center, receiving the Outstanding Service Award. She also loved volunteering and delivered Meals on Wheels for 18 years.

For the past 14 years, Lorene lived at Garden Villas, a retirement community. She continued finding ways to be helpful - even rolled papers for the Humane Society for almost 10 years. The hardest part in downsizing for her was not being able to host the family holiday dinners. She loved having her family around her.

On May 2, 1948, Lorene married Rudolph William Giessenbier, who pre-deceased her 15 years ago. She is survived by her children, Janice VanLaningham and Rudene Niedenthal (Galen), 5 grandchildren, Ryan VanLaningham (Rachel), Brant Niedenthal (Sara), Renee VanLaningham, Troy Niedenthal, and Crisda Waters (Justin); as well as 6 great-grandchildren, Tyler VanLaningham, Lila and Claire Niedenthal, and Cade, Jaysa, and Hadley Waters.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial gifts to her church, of which she was a charter member, Christ Lutheran Church, 11720 Nieman Rd., Overland Park, KS 66210.