Obituary of Peggy Lorenz

Peggy (Raffler) Lorenz passed away on Sunday, March 6, 2005, seven weeks after being diagnosed with advanced stage lung, bone and lymphatic cancer, at the age of 86 years. She was born Peggy Neal Woodford on May 15, 1918 in Seattle, WA. She grew up on her parents’ farm northeast of Hussar, AB. She attended Montessori School in Calgary for several years, then returned home to complete her High School in Hussar. While vacationing with her parents one winter, Peggy met Leonard Raffler of Newport, WA. They married soon after on March 30, 1939. Peg and Len worked hard on their small farm near Diamond Lake – they had a paper route, a portable sawmill, sold milk from their dairy cows, etc – they had a very happy life together. In 1946 the Rafflers (now three) immigrated to Canada; they worked on her family’s farms near Hussar. Len and Peg took over the operation when the Woodfords retired to Victoria, BC in 1948. The Rafflers (now four) travelled south nearly every winter from 1952 until Len’s death in 1978. Before he died, Len bought a home for Peggy in Mesa, AZ, where she lived for six months every year until she regretfully sold it in 2003. While living in Mesa, she met and married Ed Lorenz of Walhalla, ND. They were married for twelve years and had lots of fun together, entertaining, going on gambling junkets, and visiting Hawaii. Peggy’s final home was at Arbour Lake Retirement Residence here in Calgary where she made many friends and played cards and games to her heart’s content. Peggy truly enjoyed a long and blessed life, especially in her last years, surrounded by her loving grandchildren and her favourite dog, Sydney. She is survived by her daughter, Nancy (Scheuerman) Lovejoy, of Seoul, Korea; her son and daughter-in-law Neal and Susan Raffler of Westlake Village, CA; two grandsons, Paul Scheuerman of Seoul, Korea and Michael Scheuerman of Calgary; two granddaughters, CaraLise (Bruce) Herdman of Bragg Creek, AB and Nicole Vasbinder of Berkeley, CA; two great-granddaughters, Meaghan (Justin) Swainson and Caitlin Herdman; two great-great-grandsons, Kaleb and Noah Swainson, all of Calgary; dear friend and ex-husband Ed Lorenz (97 years); brother-in-law Bob Hilsen; nephew Len (Rosalie) Hilsen; and niece Marsha Hilsen, all of Colorado. Peggy was predeceased by her parents, Luther and Dimple Ella Woodford; two brothers, Paul Luther (baby) and William Neal (8 years); and beloved husband of thirty-nine years, Leonard Raffler A Gathering of Family and Friends will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Crowfoot Chapel (82 Crowfoot Circle N.W.) on Saturday, March 12, 2005 at 2:30 p.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In living memory of Peggy Lorenz, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Crowfoot Chapel, 82 CROWFOOT CIRCLE N.W., CALGARY. Telephone: (403) 241-0044.