Lorene Martha Hengst

LORENE HENGST

Lorene Martha Hengst was born May 15, 1932 in Freyburg to Otto Fiedler and Martha Schilhab Fiedler.

She had one sister, Olga Fiedler Bucchorn, and one brother, Leon Fiedler. Lorene attended Abbotts Grove School and completed the eighth grade. She married the love of her life, Milton Hengst, on Sept. 29, 1951 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in High Hill. A short time later, they became lifelong parishioners of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Schulenburg, where Lorene was also a member of the St. Rose Altar Society. Milton and Lorene lived in Schulenburg where they raised their four children, Diane, Dorothy (Maggie), Ronnie and Randy. While raising their family, Lorene worked multiple jobs throughout the community over the years and took pride in anything she did. She was a dedicated employee at the Stanzel Toy Airplane Factory in Schulenburg for over 42 years. She enjoyed her job and the people with whom she worked. She retired when the factory closed but she continued to stay busy. Lorene volunteered for the Meals on Wheels program, Schulenburg Regency and Colonial nursing homes. She was once awarded Volunteer of the Year in Fayette County. She loved to cook, bake, and can fruits and vegetables. Some of her family’s favorites were her delicious strudels, homemade pickles and homemade picante sauce, pies and chicken noodle soup. She was very proud of her vegetable garden and her rose bushes. Her love of roses was something her family enjoyed as well and still do. Christmas was her favorite season and she loved each moment she shared with her family. She made cherished quilts for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Lorene’s favorite title was Mamaw. She adored her grandchildren along with her great-grandchildren and was very involved in each of their lives. She was a simple person, loved life, had a contagious smile and never met a stranger.

Lorene passed away peacefully on Friday, Nov. 10, 2023 surrounded by her family at Schulenburg Regency Nursing Center.

Funeral visitation and parish rosary was held at Schwenke-Baumgarten Funeral Home on Tuesday, Nov. 14 and the funeral Mass was officiated by Fr. Jasper Liggio at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church on Wednesday, Nov. 15, with entombment at St. Rose Cemetery. Pallbearers were Melvin Hedt, Chance Kansteiner, Rodney Svec, Mark Haley , Leon Fiedler Jr. and Clinton Guentert. Honorary pallbearers were grandchildren and greatgrandchildren.

Lorene is survived by her children, daughter Diane Johnson, daughter and son-in-law Maggie and Freddie Walker, son and daughter-in-law Ronnie and Tracie Hengst, son and daughter-in-law Randy and Billie Hengst along with grandchildren Kelli and Henry Nieto, Casey and Justin Powell, Christina and Adam Seppala, and Caitlin Hengst. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren, Kevin and Natalie Nieto, JJ Powell, and Scarlett and Kinsley Seppala.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Milton Hengst, grandson Kevin Walker, son-in-law Lee Johnson, sister Olga Bucchorn and brother Leon Fiedler.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, St. Rose Altar Society, Hospice of South Texas or to a charity of one’s choice.