Hazel Lorene Hogan, always known as "Lorene," passed away April 12, 2008 at Aurora Medical Center in Oshkosh. Although her family and friends are saddened, they are also joyful that she will be welcomed in heaven and reunited with her loving parents and four wonderful sisters.

Her approach to life was simple and unwavering: always use kind words, make time for what you love to do, don't give up easily, enjoy the simple moments, smile often, stand up for yourself but be humble and sensitive, don't be afraid to cry, support your family, friends and neighbors, and appreciate the wonder of animals and nature in our world.

Lorene began her life in Sterling, Kansas, on August 21, 1931, one of seven children raised by Hazel and Lorin Ray. The funny, bubbly Lorene, youngest of the "Ray girls," was a friend to all she met and a cheerleader for all. After graduating from Sterling High School and living briefly in Southern California, she returned to Sterling where she met her husband of 52 years, Jack Hogan-a Wisconsin lad stationed at a Naval Air Base near Hutchinson, Kansas. They married in 1955, and moved to his hometown of Sheboygan in 1956. In 1968, the family settled in Oshkosh where Lorene and Jack raised their four children.

Horses, children, country music, dancing and creatures of all kinds were her loves in life. For many years, she boarded her horses at the former Tank farm, now the site of Mercy Medical Center in Oshkosh. Teaching her children and grandchildren all she knew about horses was one of her true joys. Lorene supported her horse-habit by feeding the kids at Oakwood Elementary School in her role as a food service employee. As many who knew her would agree, she nourished them with much more than hot lunches.

Lorene was a past member of the First United Methodist Church in Oshkosh, where she frequently taught Sunday School classes. She also was a long-time member of the Wisconsin Quarter Horse Association and the Cheyenne Shuffle Dance Club, where her love for country dancing grew and flourished.

Surviving Lorene is her husband, Jack; children: Mari Krueger of Oshkosh, Kelly (Mike) Hogan-Roth of Oshkosh, Kevin (Maggie) Hogan of Madison, and Michael (Tracy) Hogan of Omro. Also surviving is her sister, Dene Wagerle of Sterling, Kansas and brother, Ronald Ray of Canon City, Colorado. In addition, Lorene is survived by six grandchildren: Jodi Krueger, Kristopher Krueger, Jennifer Hauser, Jessica Hogan, Anna Hogan and Elizabeth Hogan. She was preceded in death by her parents, Hazel and Lorin, and four sisters: Thelma Bushman, Betty Hoffman, Maurine Colle and Jo Barber.

Funeral services for Lorene will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, April 16, 2008, at First United Methodist Church, 700 Linwood Avenue. A time of visitation will be held at the church from 10:00 A.M. until the time of the service. Burial will immediately follow in Riverside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in her name will be kindly accepted for the Alzheimer's Association of Northeast Wisconsin. Please visit www.seefeldfuneral.com to send online condolences to the family.

Special thanks to the Nurses and aides of the Special Care Unit at Bethel Home and on the 2nd floor at Aurora Medical Center, the Nurses of Aurora Visiting Nurses Hospice, Chaplain Vicky at Aurora Medical Center, and Reverend Steven Kaehr for the care for Lorene and her family.

Seefeld Funeral and

Cremation Services

(920) 236-7750