Lenora Johanna Fagenbaum, daughter of August and Emma Claus Steege, was born March 16, 1914, in rural Bremer County, Iowa. She was baptized April 12, 1914, by Rev. Schaller and confirmed April 1, 1928, by Rev. Reikowsky at St. John Lutheran Church, Spring Fountain. She attended country school and parochial school in Bremer County.
On August 28, 1936, she was united in marriage with Emmett Fagenbaum at St. John Lutheran Church, Spring Fountain by Rev. Runge.
Lenora worked as a housekeeper for a Waterloo doctor, cleaned chickens at Wescott and Winks in Sumner, candled eggs at Sumner Produce, made pizza at Moeller’s Bar and Grill, worked in the laundry at Community Memorial Hospital, and babysat for family and friends.
A resident of the Hillcrest Home since June 25, 2009, Lenora’s death occurred there on Wednesday, August 26, 2009, from complications of old age. She was 95 years old and a longtime member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Sumner. Among many activities at the church, she especially enjoyed taking church service tapes to Hillcrest for the residents. Lenora always enjoyed cooking and grilling, fishing at Annandale, Minnesota, and making cookies with her grandchildren at Christmas.
She is survived by three sons, Paul (Roberta) Fagenbaum and Harvey (Darla) Fagenbaum of Sumner, and Robert (Verla) Fagenbaum of Hawkeye; six grandchildren; eleven great grandchildren; and three great great grandchildren.
Lenora was preceded in death by her husband, Emmett, who died November 3, 1989; an infant daughter, Kay Ann; her parents; one brother, Leonard; and two sisters, Mildred Meyer and Bernida Knief.
Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, August 29, 2009, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Sumner with Rev. George Volkert officiating. Friends may call from 4:00 p.m., to 7:00 p.m., Friday, August 28, 2009, at Becker-Milnes Funeral Home in Sumner and for one preceding services at the church on Saturday. Burial will be in Lutheran Cemetery of Sumner Township.
