1925 – Lorane Betty Onken – 2016
Lorane Onken was born on April 13, 1925 on the family farm near Slayton, Minnesota to William and Martha Neilsen Paden. Lorane taught herself how to play the pump organ as a small child. She also made a steel guitar from a guitar with one string, using a butter knife. She sang in many groups in school and played guitar and sang at many local events. Lorane graduated from Slayton High School in 1943 and was married to Vernon Onken on June 12, 1943 at the Zion Lutheran Parsonage in Iona, Minnesota. She was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church on November 1943. Following their marriage they made their home on a farm near Slayton, Minnesota. In later years Lorane worked at the local S & L and Ben Franklin stores. Vernon passed away on November 1, 1997. Lorane remained in their home until 2004 when she moved to Windom, Minnesota to be near her daughter, Janet. In 2010 Lorane returned to Slayton and made her home with her daughter, Judy. In June 2016 Lorane moved to Our House Hospice Home in Slayton and passed away there on Tuesday, July 6, 2016 at the age of 91. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Slayton, Minnesota where she played the organ for 50+ years, sang in the church choir, taught Sunday School, Bible school and served as past president of the Ladies Aid and financial Secretary. She also was a member of the Golden Age Group at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Windom, participating in Bible Study and playing the piano for the group. Lorane enjoyed spending time with her family, hosting large family gatherings, making music, sewing, crocheting and crossword puzzles.
Survivors include her two daughters and their spouses: Janet and Virgil Meier, Windom, MN, and Judy and Dave LaBoda, Slayton, MN; three grandchildren: Jeff and Kris Meier, Rogers, MN, Angela and Mac West, Rockford, MN, Adam and Sarah LaBoda, Parkville, MO; five great-grandchildren: Mackenzie and Marissa Meier, Cyrus, Divya West and Mathias LaBoda. She was preceded in death her parents; husband Vernon; six siblings: Thelma Onken, Wilbur Paden, Harold Paden, Lucille Olson, Evelyn Meyer and Lois Berg.
Funeral services were held at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Slayton, MN on Friday, July 8, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Dennis Brekke officiating. The organist was Pat Onken. The pallbearers were Jeff Meier, Mac West, Alan Onken, Luther Onken, Dean Baker, and David Onken. Interment is at Faith Lutheran Cemetery in Avoca, MN.
Totzke Funeral Home of Slayton was entrusted with arrangements. To view online obituary and send condolences visit totzkefuneralhome.com
