Lori Ann Grenz

Lori Ann Grenz was born on August 7, 1966 to Melvin and Ann (Wright) Petersen in Pipestone County, Minnesota. Lori was raised on a family farm, Lori's childhood was filled with helping milk cows, attending family gatherings especially Petersen family reunions, and riding her beloved horse, "Lightning." She loved anything with a motor that she, her siblings and cousins could ride. Family trips camping, fishing, and snowmobiling created memories she treasured throughout her life.

Lori was baptized on September 11, 1966, in Holland, Minnesota, and confirmed in 1982 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Lake Benton, Minnesota. She graduated from Verdi High School in 1986 and on September 20 of that same year, she married her high school sweetheart Allan Erwin Grenz at St. John's Lutheran Church in Lake Benton, Minnesota.

After marriage, Lori and her husband lived in Brookings, South Dakota, from 1986 to 1990, where she baby sat for families. In 1990, they moved to Elkton, South Dakota, where they welcomed their two children, Deven and ShayAnna, who meant the world to her. From 1990 to 2000, Lori worked as the head cook at the White Health Care nursing home in White, South Dakota. During their life together spanning 1988 to 2005, Lori and Allan made wood crafts and attended many craft shows together. In 2000, they moved to the countryside outside of Elkton, where Lori devoted herself to caring for her home and family as a stay-at-home mom.

Lori was a lifelong member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Lake Benton, Minnesota. She attended Sunday school there, was confirmed in the church, taught Sunday school for several years, and was a member of the Dorcas Society. She also served as president of the American Legion Auxiliary in Lake Benton, Minnesota for several years, giving generously of her time to her community.

She found joy in life's simple pleasures - her French Bulldogs, puzzles, camping and fishing trips, collecting cookie jars and salt and pepper shakers, crafting, snowmobiling, and deer hunting with Allan and friends Rich and Lynea Wright. Lori loved the Christmas season every year for many reasons, particularly when her favorite movie "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" would be playing. She was especially proud of reaching level 19,127 in Candy Crush. Tuesday, February 10, 2026 Lori unexpectedly passed away at the Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, South Dakota. 

Lori will be remembered for making her famous donuts, for her welcoming spirit always inviting others in for a cup of coffee or asking if they had something to eat. Her favorite saying was, "Smile... it makes people wonder what you've been up to.

Lori is lovingly remembered by her husband Allan Grenz of Elkton, South Dakota; her children, Deven and ShayAnna Grenz of Elkton, South Dakota; brothers, Doug (Lisa) Petersen of Jasper, Minnesota, David (Renee) Petersen of Lake Benton, Minnesota; brother-in-law, William Grenz of Verdi, Minnesota; Sister-in-law, Audra (John) Hardesty of Rapid City, South Dakota; mother-in-law, Uda Grenz of Verdi, Minnesota; Aunts, Lynea Wright of Elkton, South Dakota, Judy Wright of White, South Dakota, and Arlene Lambert of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Uncle, James Wright of Tyler, Minnesota and all her nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her grandparents, Henry and Stella Petersen and Melvin and Clara Wright; parents, Melvin and Ann Petersen; father-in-law, Ralph Grenz; uncles, Clifford and Richard Wright, Orlan Borns, Dale Lambert and Raymond Petersen; aunts, Niala Petersen and Clarice Borns and her best friend Bonnie.