Kathy (Wiese) Lorenz

Kathy (Wiese) Lorenz, age 71, of Omaha, NE

June 2, 1951 – August 11, 2022

Kathy was born to Wayne (Babe) and Mary (Sendgraff) Wiese on June 2, 1951, in West Point, NE.  She was baptized, confirmed and married at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in West Point, NE.  She attended Guardian Angels elementary school and graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1969.

After graduation, she moved to Omaha to work at Mutual of Omaha where she worked for 10 years. She married the love of her life, Bill Lorenz, Jr. on June, 21, 1975. She then stayed home to raise her 2 sons, William (Billy) Lorenz III, and Todd Lorenz.  When her boys entered school, she returned to work at HyVee, where she decorated cakes.  In 1987, she became a Paraprofessional for special education students at Oak Valley, Saddle Brook and eventually Gomez Heritage school in Omaha.  She retired in 2016. Kathy loved every child she helped like they were her own. She was known to dress up like a circus clown and characters from books for story time. Kathy learned sign language so she could communicate with all of her students. Kathy threw around kindness like confetti.

Growing up in a family of 7 children gave her a fun, and competitive spirit, which she displayed through games. Dominoes was one of her favorite games, but it was no game to her, you were at her mercy! A highlight of each week was dominoes day with Bill and their group of friends. If there was a bingo game at a local church, it was a safe bet that Kathy would be in attendance. She also loved a good Keno game and had certain favorite numbers she would always play.  Kathy loved to go to the horse races way back when Aksarben was the place to be. The smart play when going to the races with Kathy was to pick the exact horse she did because she always won on whatever horse she bet on; however, she never placed a big bet!  She also would never reveal her secret! Whenever she had to be inside, she could be found watching the Game Show Network.  Her favorite show was Wheel of Fortune.

Kathy was known by family and friends for her Christmas candies and especially her Scotcheroos.  She did share the secret for those with Janet who is now the guardian! Kathy spent her summers making out Christmas Cards so you always received your card on December 1st.  She also celebrated everyone’s birthday and anniversary and we all know that you received your card on the day, not the day before, or the day after!  She saved every card and picture that anyone ever sent her; they were very special to her!

She is preceded in death by her parents, Wayne and Mary Wiese; sister, Jeanine Wiese; nephew, Joshua Stalp; brother-in-law, Bob Hawn;  in-laws, William and Shirley Lorenz; sister-in-law, Susan Kay Lorenz.

Survived by husband of 47 years, William (Bill) Lorenz, Jr.; sons, William “Billy” Lorenz III and Todd Lorenz; brothers, Larry (Nancy) Wiese and Randy (Kathy) Wiese; brother-in-laws, Robert Lorenz, (Pat Oliver)  and Tim (Mary) Lorenz; sisters: Janet (Joe) Schueth, Marilyn Hawn, Joyce (Tim) Stalp; many nephews and nieces as well as great nieces and nephews that loved her!

Visitation begins Thursday, August 18, 2022, 6:00PM at West Center Chapel followed by Vigil Service at 7:00PM

Mass of Christian Burial: Friday, August 19, 2022, 10:30AM at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, 15353 Pacific Street, Omaha Nebraska. Internment: Yutan, Nebraska Cemetery

Memorials are suggested to the Special Olympics.