Lorena Brennecke, of Mattoon, died Sunday, December 16, 2012 at Langlade Hospital under the care of LeRoyer Hospice following a battle with cancer. She was 73 years old. She was born on January 15, 1939 in L'Anse, MI a daughter of Ruth (Schabell) Lucia of Antigo and the late Willard Lucia. She married Robert Brennecke on November 17, 1956 in Antigo. He survives.

She attended Elcho High School.

Mrs. Brennecke worked seasonally at Bev and Paul's tree nursery south of Mattoon.
For 21 years she worked at the veneer mill in Mattoon and later was manager at Remington Oil gas station also in Mattoon retiring in 2001.

In addition to her mother and husband survivors include three daughters Debbie (Bob) Ostrander, Antigo, Wanda (Mike) Abler, Birnamwood and Lori Harris, DePere; a son Steve (Kristin Benishek) Brennecke, Mattoon; eleven grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren; a sister Linda Frisch, Antigo; three brothers Loren (Wilma) Lucia, Antigo, Gary (JoAnne) Lucia, New Holsten and Dennis Lucia, Mattoon.

In addition to her father she was preceded in death by a grandson Shad Brennecke and a brother-in-law Ernest Frisch.

A memorial gathering will be held Saturday December 22, 2012 from 1 - 3 p.m. at the Mattoon Marble Ave. apartments in their lounge area.

Services