March 28, 1933 - October 28, 2021
Lore Sara Wegner was born March 28, 1933 in Mannsburg Bessarabia, Romania to Edward and Ottilie Wegner. Lore’s younger years were spent on the family farm. Increased conflict across Europe, forced Lore and her family to leave their Romanian farm in September of 1940. For the next decade, the family moved across Europe. They moved from Romania to Bulgaria, across Hungary, and Czechoslovakia, into Poland, finally arriving in Germany. During their move across Europe, the family traveled mostly by cattle train and box car. They stayed wherever they could find shelter including tent camps, box cars, and even farms, where they worked in exchange for a place to stay. After years of moving and fleeing, the family finally found hope, when they boarded a U.S. Navy ship, bound for America. On March 22, 1952 they arrived In New York, ready to start their new life in their new home.
Lore started her life in America as a cook at a college campus in Winefield, Kansas. It was here that Lore learned to speak English, as well as became a United States citizen. After her time in Kansas, Lore and her family moved to Windsor, Colorado. Windsor was a German community at the time, allowing the family to find familiarity in their new home. Lore worked at Good Samaritan society in Greeley. During this time, she met her love and life long partner, Don Herder. Don and Lore were introduced on Christmas of 1958, and were married on February 15, 1959.
Don and Lore settled down in Loveland, Colorado. Here they raised their three children, Charlotte, Ruth, and Paul. Lore devoted her life to raising her family, caring for her home, and serving in the church. Lore could often be found quilting, knitting, crocheting, and sewing. She shared her love for German cuisine with both her friends and family. Lore and Don also loved opening their home to friends and missionaries. Although they never had much money, Don and Lore made sure to travel every chance they got. She spent much of her free time teaching children in her church’s AWANA program. She also shared the love of God through her work in the church nursery, where she was often found rocking babies to sleep. Lore spent the last years of her working years working in local school cafeterias.
Don and Lore were blessed with two grandchildren, Kennedy Faith Herder and Sarah Kathrine Lesko. Don and Lore spent many years caring for, loving, and teaching their grandchildren. You could find “Oma” teaching them about cooking and knitting, and “Opa” working alongside them in the garden. Although Don and Lore only had two grandchildren, they were “oma” and “opa” to every child that walked through their door.
In their later years, Don and Lore spent many hours at the local community kitchen, where they became family to all the people they shared a meal with. Their table was always full. They would share their story, and listen to the stories of anyone that joined them at the table.They would share the gospel and a copy of the New Testament with everyone that was willing to listen.
Don and Lore spent the last few years of their lives at Good Samaritan Society, where they were dearly loved and spoiled by the caring and loving staff.
On October 28, 2021, Lore went home to be with her Lord. She is now at peace, rejoicing with her husband and family that went before her. She was preceded in death by her siblings Selma Daudert and Bruno Wegner, her daughter Sharon Rose, and her husband Donald E. Herder. She is survived by her children Charlotte Lesko and husband John, Ruth Herder, and Paul Chet Henry Wheeler and husband Richard. She is also survived by her two grandchildren Kennedy Faith Herder and Sarah Kathrine Lesko. Lore will be missed by her many friends and family.
Funeral Service, Friday, 11:00 a.m., Grace Community Church. Viewing at the Kibbey-Fishburn Funeral Home, Thursday, 5-7:00 p.m. Interment, Resthaven Memory Gardens.
