Lorraine (Lory) Ellerbrock

October 23, 1932 – March 17, 2024

Mother and encourager, always beautiful, kind and loving. Lory passed March 17, 2024 surrounded by her family when Jesus called her home. This was just 3 days prior to the passing of Kenneth to whom she married almost 74 years prior. She committed herself to treating others with respect and love, accepting people as they were. She was a joy to those that knew her, always interested in others and dedicated to welcoming everyone she met. She and Ken were much alike in their spirit for others.

Lory was born in Spring Valley, IL followed by a sister Arlene Uranich (deceased). She attended Spring Valley High School and then worked at Westclox factory in Peru, IL as a Piece Maker. Her best friend and co-worker, Eloise, was dating a man in the Army and soon introduced Lory to his brother, Ken, as a pen pal, also serving in the Army out of state. When Ken completed his tour they began dating and married April 1, 1950 on her mother’s birthday. It was a beautiful wedding and she made a beautiful bride with her hansom hard working husband.

As a young couple, they chose Spring Valley where they would start their family. They purchased a vacant lot with their savings. Together, with help from the family and friends, they built a home first pouring the basement walls and completing enough to live in while continuing to build the ground level to complete the house. It was a multi year process where both daughters Arlene (Baker) and Karen (Fleming) were brought home after birth.

In 1961 the family moved to Morton, IL where Ken had accepted a transfer to a management position with Norwalk Trucking Company. Lory became involved with leading Girl Scouts, organizing car pools, and attending Illinois Central College where she discovered a talent for writing. It was there she had her first article published in the college paper. She worked part time for department stores where she was always afforded a nice employee discount and developed a wonderful group of friendships over the years with coworkers, neighbors and church. Church became an important part of her life after she accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior after attending a Christian Women’s luncheon. Both she and Ken were united in their faith that saw them through difficult circumstances and health challenges.

Lory and Ken enjoyed a good life with wonderful travels via cruises and tours and winter vacations to sunny Phoenix, AZ. When their daughters discovered the amazing sunshine nearly 360 days a year there in Arizona (a true reprieve from Illinois winters) they migrated there and upon retirement Lory and Ken followed in 1997 purchasing a home in Ahwatukee (Phoenix area). Currently their daughters and 2 of 3 granddaughters live in Arizona.

Together Lory and Ken enjoyed a good life with wonderful travels via cruise and tours and winter vacations to sunny Phoenix, AZ. As their daughters discovered the amazing sunshine nearly 360 days a year, a true reprieve from Illinois winters, the family migrated there and upon retirement Ken and Lory followed purchasing a home in Ahwatukee (Phoenix area). Currently their daughters and 2 of 3 granddaughters live in Arizona.

In her later years she began supporting children with clef pallet birth defects by donating annually to the Smile Train. She had a generous heart and was kind even when facing personal attack for her faith and political beliefs.

Lory dearly loved her family and extended family with all her heart. She was always supportive and caring. She was creative in design always keeping home up to date. She had a great eye for color and coordinating fashion, making her a polished dresser to the end. Her love and support to all is greatly missed.

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/lorraine-ellerbrock/obituary/

Copy