Mary Ann Lorentz

obit template2018-11-29T12:10:12+00:00

Mary Ann 
Lorentz

Mary Ann Lorentz, 1937-2021
Mary Ann Lorentz (Altstadt), 83, of Milwaukee, died June 2, 2021. She was the loving wife of William Charles Lorentz, who died in 2017, and mother of Ann, Daniel, Paul, Barbara and Patricia and grandmother to Aliaya and Emmett (Jr.) Wooten.
She was a deeply caring, generous, adaptable, faithful and down-to-earth woman, who was her family’s heart and glue and served a similar role with her friends, including especially a certain Sheepshead card-playing group.
Born in 1937 and raised on Milwaukee’s South Side, she graduated from St. Mary’s Academy in 1955. She was prom queen and class president. She graduated from Alverno College’s Nursing School in 1960. That same year, she married William Lorentz from Sioux Falls, South Dakota. And after living in Kearney, Nebraska and Waukesha, Wisconsin for a few years, she returned to Milwaukee in 1963.
While raising her kids on Milwaukee’s Eastside, she become deeply involved with the Arthritis Foundation, setting up support groups for children with juvenile arthritis and their parents. She joined her husband in civil rights marches with Father James Groppi in Milwaukee, and was active in desegregation and integration efforts. She also was active in the city’s fair housing movement, and was involved in helping to establish an “open education” program with Milwaukee Public Schools.
After her children were older, she returned to nursing in the mid-1970s at St. Mary’s Hospital. In the 1980’s, she became one of the first nurses in one of Milwaukee’s earliest in-hospital hospice programs. Later, she worked in outpatient hospice care and then as an oncology nurse and helped set up support groups for patients and loved-ones.
She loved fishing, especially at her brother James Altstadt’s cabin on the Flambeau River in northern Wisconsin near Ladysmith. She was an excellent bowler, and played softball (mostly as a pitcher). She was an avid Milwaukee Brewers fan and an equally avid fan of her daughter Patricia’s children (Aliaya and Emmett, Jr).
Mary Ann is survived by her children: Ann (Randy Koepsel); Dan (Lori Ringhand); Paul, Barbara Heimlich (Kurt); and Patricia, (Emmett Wooten, Sr.); her grandchildren Aliaya Wooten and Emmett, Jr. Wooten, her brothers John Altstadt, (Terri) and James Altstadt (Faye), and in-laws Sr. Suzanne Lorentz, OP; Terry Lorentz; and many other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents Alois and Mary Altstadt and her sister Dorothy Altstadt.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to St. Ben’s Capuchin Community Service, Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa, or Casa Maria Catholic Worker.
The memorial service will take place at the funeral home on Saturday, June 12, 2021 from 1 pm to 3 pm.
Heritage Funeral Home at Greenfield 4800 S. 84th St., Greenfield, WI, US, 53228.

5 Comments

  1. David and Darlene Lorentz June 5, 2021 at 8:16 pm - Reply

    Mary Ann was an amazing woman and I feel so blessed to have known her. David and I are so sorry for the families loss. She will be missed by all. You are all in our prayers. We love you, Darlene and David

  2. Susan Katzka June 6, 2021 at 6:51 am - Reply

    Mary Ann was a role model and mentor to me in my early years as an oncology nurse at St. Mary’s Hospital. She was such a calming, loving presence in the lives of so many patients and families in their time if need. She made such an impact in the lives of so many , both patients and other health care providers.
    Her memory will live on in the hearts of many!
    May you rejoice in heaven, Mary Ann❤️

  3. Cathy Falk June 6, 2021 at 7:29 pm - Reply

    Aunt Mary Ann was a wonderful and loving person. She was also fun. as she loved to play games and cards and taught me some great card tricks. 😀 We will all miss her smiles, sighs, and conversations filled with love and warmth . We love you, Aunt Mary Ann!

  4. Gerri Musso June 7, 2021 at 8:18 pm - Reply

    Aunt Maryann was my Confirmation sponsor because I loved and admired her so much. I can still hear her laugh. God bless her. Much love to our cousins.

  5. Sharon Goetsch June 8, 2021 at 12:30 pm - Reply

    What a nice lady and thoughtful and kind to the patients. I worked with Mary Ann at St. Marys, I remember her walking unto the unit, face, smile and walk. A blessing to her patients. Enjoy your reward. Well deserved.

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