Lorene Lou Minkler (Yoder) age 89, of Bristol, WI, passed away at home on Sunday, October 23rd, 2022. She was born on November 12th, 1932, in Topeka, IN, to the late Ledger and Anna Alma (Rheinheimer) Yoder. She lived most of her childhood in LaGrange, IN.
After moving to Chicago in her early twenties, she met George Minkler. They married and settled in Waukegan, IL, where they raised their four children. Once her children were in high school, Lori renewed her life-long interest in art by taking classes at the Jack Benny Center for the Arts, and the College of Lake County. She was accepted into the fine arts program at Northern Illinois University, where she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1992. She lived in Chicago for a little while before moving to Beach Park, IL and eventually settled in Bristol in 2009.
She worked at various jobs, but most recently at Jewel Osco as a checkout clerk, retiring in 2014. She enjoyed art, reading, crossword puzzles, nature walks, bird watching, playing piano, singing in Choral Dynamics, and most of all spending time with her family. She loved playing board games on game night with her family.
She is will be missed dearly by her son Eric (Darcy) Minkler; daughters: Leslie Minkler, Denise Minkler Marych (Fred Marych) and Cynthia Kenik; grandchildren: Melinda Kenik (Michael Ricciotti), Ryann Minkler (Alan Scott); great grandchildren: Jacob MacCrutheras and Kamila Scott and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her former husband George Minkler, and sisters: Natalie Vakulin, Kathleen Jordan, and Gloria Nicodemus.
