Helen Lorene Sprenkle

H. “Lorene” Sprenkle passed away on Friday August 11, 2023. She was born May 24, 1941, to Theodore (T.O.) and Genetta Miller in Pryor, OK. She was the 4th child of 9 born to T.O. and Genetta. And as a result, she soon became the sub mother for the younger children. When Lorene was 4, the family moved to Missouri where they operated a large dairy farm. Since the farm was so large all the family had their chores (jobs) to do. At age 5 or 6 one of the early chores that Lorene had was feeding the bottle calves. That was where Roy first noticed her as his dad, Lee Sprenkle, drove the milk truck and Roy moved the empty clean cans around for him. Later on, when Lorene was older and stronger, she was promoted to the dairy barn as a milker. It was a job she disliked very much.

Lorene was very athletic and loved all sports, softball in particular. She went to a small one room school called “Bryan” and Roy, her future husband, went to one about 4 miles away. The schools would sometimes play each other in softball games. All the kids and teachers walked to the other school to play.

Lorene started 6th grade in Liberal, MO so she rode the bus to school. Roy’s dad drove the school bus and kept the bus at home. Lorene and Roy soon became good friends and he always saved a seat for her. In high school Lorene was a cheerleader, twirler, drum majorette, and had the leading role in many plays. She was a very beautiful young lady.

Lorene was not allowed to date until she was 16 unless it was a church sponsored activity. Roy and Lorene went on a lot of church activity “dates” prior to age 16. When she turned 16 she was allowed to date but still had rules to follow.

After high school graduation in 1959, Lorene lived with her older brother, Kenneth, near Kansas City, MO and worked at a bank on Grand Avenue. The bank made several offers to try and keep her employed there, but she refused as she and Roy had other plans. They were married June 26, 1960, at Iantha Baptist Church.

After marriage, Lorene worked at Lawn Boy in Lamar, MO for a while. When the family moved to Kansas in 1965, Lorene decided that she wanted to teach school so while raising her family she graduated from Wichita State University with a BS Degree in Education. Later, she received her MS Degree from Emporia State University.

Lorene taught in 3 different school districts totaling nearly 29 years, mostly right in Jasper Schools. After retiring from teaching in 1996, she went to work for Ozark National Life full time. There she quickly rose to the district manager level. In 2001 she received the District Manager of the Year award for Territory 1. Before retiring again in 2016 due to health reasons, she had made president’s cabinet 8 times and of those 6 were in the Elite tip top of the cabinet. She had also received over 35 trophies during her time with the company.

Lorene loved to travel and thanks to the trip incentives offered by Ozark National Life that she and Roy won, they were able to visit many different countries. After her retirement the travel didn’t stop for her. In 2016 they visited the Holy Land, 2017 Australia-New Zealand, and in 2018 Peru (where she, at age 77, and Roy climbed Macho Picchu). In all she has visited more than 30 countries in the world.

She is survived by her husband, Roy. From their marriage three wonderful children were born: Dr Timothy L. Sprenkle (now deceased), Tammy L. Motazedi and spouse Dr Cyrus Dean Motazedi, and Tabby L. Compton and spouse Jeffrey Compton. There are 9 grandchildren: Quentin R. Sprenkle, Veronica H. Wells, Dr Oliver R. Sprenkle, Angus R. Sprenkle, Trey Brown, Alexander Motazedi, Christopher Compton, Kaleb Compton, and Kelsey Compton. There are 6 great-grandchildren: Conrad Sprenkle, Baylee Sprenkle, Cohen Wells, Theodore Wells, Blythe Wells, and Hendrix Sprenkle. In addition, Lorene has one sister, Sharon Stout and spouse Henry, three brothers: Doyle Miller and spouse Judy, Keith Miller and spouse Kathy, and Larry Miller that are still living. Four of Lorene’s siblings are deceased.

Lorene loved the Lord, her church family, her pastor, and working in the church to help lead others to the Lord by a living example. Lorene never complained even though she was often in severe pain herself due to her liver disease. She always put others before herself in everything. Today, we are assured that she is not in pain, has been reunited with her loved ones that went before her and she is living in a mansion that Jesus built for her. Most of all Lorene wants you to know the Lord too.

If you would like to make a donation in lieu of flowers, the family suggests New Providence Baptist Church in care of the funeral home.

The family will receive visitors on Friday August 18, 2023 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM and a funeral service will be held on Saturday August 19, 2023 at 10:00 AM at Konantz Warden Funeral Home.

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