Lorene Summer

LORENE MAY SUMMER Lorene May Summer, 91, died on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, at her home in Ranier, Minnesota. Lorene was born November 18, 1931, in Detroit, Michigan to Lorne and Hazel Clara (Crawford) Champion. Although Lorene was an only child, her cousin Beverly (Bartlett) Franson (Houston, Texas) daughter of Beatrice (Crawford) Bartlett and special uncle, Jack Bartlett, was as close to her as a sister while they grew up in the Detroit area. Lorene graduated from Cooley High School in Detroit. She attended Michigan State University where she met Russell Earl Summer, from Hibbing, MN. They were married in Detroit. Lorene finished her undergraduate studies at Iowa State where she earned her B.A. Degree while Russell worked towards a doctorate in Biochemistry. Russell was interviewed by the late Dr. Bill McPherson, and he accepted a research chemist position with Mando Pulp and Paper at the International Falls paper mill. Lorene taught Sunday School at the Bethlehem Congregational Church (the "old church") and later, pre-school classes. She was a Den Mother for a cub scout troop in her home. Later, she was employed as the front desk medical receptionist at the Falls Medical Center where she made many lifelong friends. Growing up in Detroit, Lorene enjoyed attending the Ringling Bros.and Barnum & Bailey Circus, and Red Wings games. She also enjoyed going to her uncle Jack's farm in Dunnville, Ontario with her cousin, Beverly. After moving to International Falls, she enjoyed curling, golf, cross county skiing, and especially spending time at her family cabin on Rainy Lake during retirement. One year she drove northwest through Canada to visit Russell's niece, Gale (Summer) Croft and her husband Steven Croft at their home in Nikiski, Alaska on the Kenai Peninsula. As the winters on Rainy Lake grew colder, Lorene and Russell found a seasonal home in Queen Valley, Arizona. Here they found new adventure in the enchanted desert. Friendship was very important to Lorene as she made her way through life and here in Arizona she would make many more lifelong friends, who took to calling her "Lori." When Russell's health failed, Lori drove the entire distance to and from Arizona for several years. Lorene is preceded in death by her mother, Hazel Clara (Crawford) Champion; father, Lorne Champion; step-mother and gracious family nurse, Ruth (Rowe) Champion; daughter-in-law, Cindy Lou (Olsen) Summer; and son, Todd Steven Summer. She is survived by sons, Curt Summer, of Ranier, and Brad (Melanie) Summer, of Bovey, MN; and grandson, Dustin (Marie) Summer, of Marble, MN; great-grandchildren, Dean Summer, of Marble, MN and Lilly Manthey, of Grand Rapids, MN; cousin, Beverly (Bartlett) Franson of Houston, TX; and stepbrother, Ken (Rachel) Goodreau of Walnut Creek, CA. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, at Faith United Church of Christ in International Falls at 11:00 A.M. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am. If so desired, memorials may be directed to the Borderland Humane Society located at 1990 Valley Pine Circle, International Falls, MN 56649. Condolences may be left on www.greenlarsen.com Arrangements are with Green-Larsen Mortuary, Inc.