Loretta "Lori" Predoehl

Loretta “Lori” Meske Predoehl entered the Lord’s presence on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, at Centennial Hospital, Nashville, TN.

Born May 14, 1932, in Frobischer, Saskatchewan, Canada to Rev. Samuel and Katherine Janz Meske, Lori was raised in various small towns throughout Saskatchewan and North Dakota.

Due to a shortage of teachers, Lori taught one year at a rural North Dakota school (6 children in 5 grades) before completing high school. She then attended Concordia College, St Paul, MN, and taught one year at Trinity Lutheran School, Janesville, MN.

Lori married Harold Predoehl May 4, 1952, at Zion Lutheran Church, Bancroft, NE, where her father served as pastor. Harold and Lori lived on Nebraska farms in Oakland, West Point, and Beemer areas until they retired from farming in 1989.

A teacher at heart, Lori took opportunities to be in the classroom even after she married and had children. She taught a semester at Zion Lutheran School, Wisner NE. She also taught a full year as assistant K-8 instructor at Zion-St John Lutheran School, Wisner NE. Over the years, her teaching included short-term classes in crafts, crochet, and cooking in several schools. Even her work in West Point NE as Activities Director, first for West Point Living Center, then St. Joseph’s Retirement Community, included activities and classes for residents of those facilities.

Lori was a faithful Christian, serving her church and community as God called. She was organist/pianist for numerous churches in North Dakota, Saskatchewan, and Nebraska from 11 years of age until well into her 80s. An active member of Lutheran Women’s Missionary League for 60 years, she regularly served on local, district, and international offices & committees.

Lori was a member of Cuming County Nebraska Extension Clubs for over 25 years, serving as officer for local and county clubs. She served with joy in many other community and church organizations she held dear, including American Bible Society, American Red Cross, and 4-H.

Preceding her in death were husband Harold Predoehl; parents Samuel and Katherine Meske; siblings Orlan & LaDonna (Repschlaeger) Meske, Gerald Meske, Loran Meske, and Vida (Meske) Nye.

She is survived by children: Nathan & Sharon (Brummund) Predoehl of Bennington NE, Jodi (Predoehl) & Jay Marcum of Spring Hill TN; PJ Predoehl of Bellevue NE; grandchildren: Jana (Predoehl) & Dave Thoms, Jeri Lynn Predoehl, Samantha (Marcum) & Jarrod Sehr, Seth & Megan (Barnett) Marcum, Lily Predoehl, Jon Predoehl; great-grandchildren: Kylee (Predoehl) & Adam Schleppenbach, Morgan Hanel, Dillon Hanel, Alexia Van Long, Emily Van Long, Moriah Sehr, Levi Marcum, Cainan Sehr, Reuben Sehr, Everly Marcum; two great-great-grandchildren Murphy  & Tatum Schleppenbach; and many beloved cousins, nieces & nephews.

A celebration of life will be held at First Baptist Church, Spring Hill, TN, Friday, November 10, at 6pm. Family will receive friends in the fellowship hall immediately following the service for food and a time of sharing.

Inurnment in Nebraska will be scheduled at a later date and announced by Minnick Funeral Home of West Point.

As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to Mission Central of Mapleton, Iowa (missioncentral.us).

Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.