Lorene Wilson

Lorene Wilson, 92, of Lenapah, Oklahoma, passed away in Dewey, Oklahoma, on July 13, 2024. Her husband, Jack Wilson, had passed minutes before her while they were holding hands. Lorene Armstrong Swanson Wilson was born on April 6, 1932, in Wann, Oklahoma, to Paul and Edith Armstrong. She grew up in the Timber Hill area near Noxie, attended school in Wann, graduating in 1949. She married Jack W. Swanson on January 11, 1950, in Dewey, Oklahoma and became a farm wife on their dairy farm, west of Lenapah on California Creek. Jack. W. died in 1973. She married Bill Swanson in 1974. They later divorced. She married Jack Wilson on May 17, 2003. She lived continuously on the California Creek farm for 73 years.

Lorene was an avid artist, learning to paint with oils in the 1960s. Throughout her lifetime, she completed over 250 paintings, regularly receiving top champion honors at both the Coffeyville and Nowata Fairs. She was also an author, and completed two books, describing her years in the Timber Hills area. She was a long time 4-H leader in Nowata County and coached several years for Lenapah girls’ softball teams. She was a substitute teacher, and a librarian at Lenapah High School. She became an avid supporter of the Oklahoma Union teams and was super excited when the high school girls team won the Oklahoma State Championship in 1997.

She is survived by her children: Barry (Billie) Swanson of Bartlesville, OK and Brenda Koscelny of Texas, six grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, and two great great grandchildren. Through her marriage to Jack Wilson, she gained two daughters, 5 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband: Jack W. Swanson and husband: Jack Wilson; brothers: Melvin (Lillian) Armstrong, Harold (Marg) Armstrong, Loyd (Dorothy) Armstrong, Bob (Peggy) Armstrong, and sister: Lois (Bill) Price. Also stepdaughter: Lisa (Jim) Lowrey and Jesse Lowrey.

Funeral services for Jack and Lorene are planned for Thursday, July 18, 2024, at the First Church of God at 10:00 AM with Pastor Wendell Abbott officiating. Interment will follow at the Mount Washington Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Benjamin Funeral Service. Online condolences may be left at www.honoringmemoriesnowata.com.