Loretta Zenker

A graveside service for Loretta Zenker, 79, of Loveland, Colorado, will be held at 11:00 am, Friday, July 18, at Our Redeemer's Lutheran Cemetery in New England with Pastor Beth Parks officiating.

Loretta passed away on Sunday, October 6, 2024 in Colorado.

Loretta (Lori) Helen Zenker, a dear sister and Auntie, entered her heavenly home on October 6, 2024, after a long battle with diabetes, heart disease, and dementia. She was residing in The Green House Homes at Mirasol in Loveland, CO. Her family feels at peace knowing that she is resting in the arms of Jesus.

Born on January 19, 1945, on the family farm outside Regent, ND, Loretta was a creative and fun soul. Her love for family, animals, jewelry, jokes, music, and anything with strawberry decor was boundless. Growing up in a family of five children, she always chose to be the leader in playing church, having dress-up contests, making up games, or encouraging housecleaning to be fun with schedules, timelines, and rewards.

Loretta was daring and not afraid to try anything—even if it had consequences. She had a unique ability to immediately connect with people, often leaving a lasting impact on those she met, as evidenced by a scrapbook filled with letters from family and friends on her 40th Birthday. Most conversations with Loretta ended with her saying, “Love You!”

After graduating from New England Public High School, ND, Loretta completed one year at Bismarck Junior College. Then, as young ladies, Loretta and sister Luella owned and operated the Cozy L&L Café in Regent, ND. Later, she moved to Oregon, where she spent the last 25 years of her working life with Jubitz Truck Stop and Travel Center in Portland, OR. There, she was a highly successful salesperson, managing the gift shop and selling big-rig tires to many trucker friends.

She was an active member of Bethel Lutheran Church, Brush Prairie, WA. She also proficiently baked beautiful wedding cakes, loved cooking (mainly German food), and became a second mother to two foreign exchange students from Japan whom she hosted in her home. She also took pride in being the Godmother for Evan Holmes, the son of her neighbor and close friend.

Surviving family members are Lucille Rossbach of Washington Terrace, UT, Leota “Odie” Ridl of Loveland, CO, and sister-in-law Kay Zenker of Mandan, ND. She loved being Auntie to her eight surviving nieces and nephews and eighteen greats. She was preceded in death by her parents Edmund and Helen Zenker, sister Luella Schatz, brother LaVerne Zenker, and brothers-in-law Rev. David Rossbach, Vernon Schatz, and Francis Ridl, as well as her niece Kathi LaRusso and great nephew Dylan Ridl. Her cat Ms. Meescha will remain in her Mirasol home.