Lenora McDermott

Lenora McDermott, 92, of Waterloo, died Wednesday, August 7, 2025, at Cedar Valley Hospice Home, after a long life of dedication to her family and God.

She was born on November 12, 1932, in Marysville, Kansas, the daughter of Harm and Ella Hogelucht. She married Lawrence McDermott on December 1, 1951, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Waterloo. He preceded her in death on January 18, 2009.

Lenora moved to Waterloo in 1948 and graduated from Waterloo West High School in 1950. While completing high school, she provided childcare for families she came to know through the church.

Lenora was steadfast in her Lutheran faith and a charter member of Ascension Lutheran Church. She taught Sunday school in earlier years at Trinity Lutheran Church. She worked at the Salvation Army and later at the UAW Sub-Regional Office in Waterloo, where she spent over 30 years, retiring in 1996.

She loved family gatherings, many of which she hosted at her home. She enjoyed baking, especially making pies from scratch, including the pie crust. Lenora also loved being a grandma to her grandchildren, of which her great-great-granddaughter was named after her.

She is survived by a daughter, Charlotte McDermott of Waterloo, Iowa; a son, David McDermott of Anchorage, Alaska; a grandson, Scott (Cher) McDermott of Waterloo, Iowa; two great-grandsons, Taylor and Cameron McDermott of Waterloo, Iowa; a great granddaughter, Katelyn (Griff) Riley of Denver, Iowa; a great great-grandson Cohen Riley; a great great-granddaughter Lenora Riley; a brother, Leonard Hogelucht of Cedar Falls, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband, a daughter, Juanita (Mia) McDermott, two brothers, Walt and Fred Hogelucht; and two sisters, Rosanna Theoboldt and Anita Schulenburg.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, August 13, 2025 at 10:30 am at Ascension Lutheran Church. There will be a visitation on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, from 5:00-7:00 pm at Parrott and Wood Funeral Home and an hour before the service on Wednesday, August 13, 2025.  All are invited to join the family for a luncheon in the fellowship hall following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family, Cedar Valley Hospice Home or Ascension Lutheran Church.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Cedar Valley Hospice Home for their compassionate care during Lenora’s final days.