Loretta Ilene Rogers

Loretta Ilene Rogers, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and Aunt(y)

passed away peacefully on October 25, 2025, at the age of 79.

Born in Muskogee, Oklahoma, Loretta grew up with a bright curiosity about the world and a

boundless love for people. That same spirit carried her through a lifetime of caring for others - first

as a nurse and later as a certified diabetic educator. She taught Jazzercise classes long before "fitness

culture" was trendy, and she could out-dance most people half her age. A proud supporter of the

LGBTQIA+ community, Loretta believed deeply in kindness, inclusion, and the power of love to

bridge every difference. She travelled extensively with her husband, Allen, on assignments in

London and Dubai. Like her mother, Lovay Sherman, she was someone who delighted in exploring

new places, new foods, and new friends.

At the age of 24, Loretta was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, a challenge she faced with remarkable

strength. A passionate advocate for advancing care and support for those living with T1D, she

dedicated much of her life to helping others navigate the same journey. In 2003, Loretta became

participant #7 in an experimental Islet Cell Transplant program at Baylor College of Medicine in

Houston. While the transplant was ultimately unsuccessful, she continued to test new insulin pumps

and continuous glucose monitors, always eager to explore innovations that might improve not only

her own quality of life, but that of others managing this unfortunate disease.

Loretta is survived by her devoted husband, Allen Rogers; her sons Bret (wife Mandi) and

Christopher (husband Everett Ferreira); her grandchildren Sean Mikel, Haley Nicole, Jordon

Ashley, and Dylan Riley; her sister Jeanine Kolstad (husband Bill), nieces Gretchen Hunt and

Shannon Ortiz (husband Stephen); nephews Kirk Kolstad (husband Jeff Schrag) and Sean

Sherman (wife Karisa) and numerous great grandchildren, great and great-great nieces and

nephews. She was also lovingly welcomed by her son-in-law Everett's 'ohana, who embraced her

as one of their own and soon realized they could hardly keep up with her on the dance floor.

A memorial of Loretta's life will be held on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. in the

Family Life Center at Manchaca United Methodist Church, Manchaca, TX. Friends and family

are invited to attend the service followed by a visitation and refreshments to honor an incredible

woman - her light will continue to shine through everyone she touched.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to www.breakthrought1d.org.

Streaming of the service may be found at https://www.facebook.com/ManchacaUMC/