Obituary of Lorene Pinno

Lorene was born in WaKeeney, Kansas, on May 14, 1935 to Marie and William Fabrizius. She became a member of the Body of Christ through baptism on June 9, 1935 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in WaKeeney and confirmed her faith there on April 10, 1949. Because her parents were divorced in 1937, her mother, with the support of her extended family, became the chief caregiver for Lorene and her sister, Twila Marie. Her mother fulfilled her baptismal vows by regularly taking Lorene to worship, Sunday School, Confirmation instruction and Vacation Bible School. This early training and encouragement set the foundation for Lorene's growth in faith and active participation in the church especially in musical and teaching ministries. To participate in Bible study and fellowship, she became one of the youngest members of the women's organization in one Kansas congregation. Lorene attended grade school and high school in WaKeeney. She especially enjoyed the study of history, political science, languages and participation in choirs, ensembles, solo opportunities, and concert band. In her high school commencement exercises, Lorene delivered the Salutatory Address, and sang "The Lord's Prayer" as a solo. When Lorene neared the completion of high school with the necessary academic qualifications for university but inadequate financial means, a caring teacher investigated possibilities for her to attend university. His efforts resulted in coverage of all expenses, except toothpaste, for four years of university education through a program in the State of Kansas Rehabilitation Services For The Blind. She attended the University of Kansas, then transferred to the University of Wichita where she received a B.A. in Speech Therapy and Special Education and pursued graduate studies. As a result of her Wichita studies, Lorene graduated Magna Cum Laude on June 1, 1958. Lorene served as a speech therapist and teacher of mentally challenged children in Oxford, Kansas, followed by providing speech therapy in a school in Concordia, Kansas. In 1964, through a series of miraculous circumstances, God called Lorene to serve as a volunteer teacher of English in a Lutheran Mission school in what is now the country of Papua New Guinea. Although Lorene was legally blind, the Board of World Mission of the American Lutheran Church carefully considered her application and sent her a call which she accepted. In Concordia, Kansas, she was commissioned for service and arrived at Asaroka Lutheran Area School in New Guinea in August, 1964. At Asaroka she met Erhard Pinno who had arrived from Yorkton, Saskatchewan, in July, 1964. They were married on December 11, 1965 in the Asaroka chapel. Together, they served there from mid-1964 to the end of 1966 and again from June, 1971 to April 30, 1977. From 1967 to June, 1971, they lived in Regina, Saskatchewan, where Lorene was a speech therapist in the Regina Public schools while Erhard completed studies for an M.A. in Canadian History. During 1977-78 they lived in Neuendettelsau, Bavaria, West Germany, where Erhard was employed with the Missionswerk of the Bavarian Lutheran Church. When they returned to Canada in August, 1978, Saskatoon became their base from which they visited 144 congregations in Canada telling the story of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Papua New Guinea. In June, 1979, Erhard became Director of Admissions at Camrose Lutheran College. For 32 years they enjoyed their life in Camrose and especially the joy of being members of Messiah Lutheran Church. Lorene took the opportunity to join in some of Messiah's music ministries and was an active member of the Messiah World Mission Group. Not only did Lorene participate in the activities of the women at Messiah, at the time of her death she was President of the Messiah Lutheran Women. In the community, Lorene enjoyed sharing her gift of singing with residents of care facilities, and used her professional skills to teach Missions at CLBI, and ESL to Vietnamese refugees. On December 15, 1997, Lorene was given an anonymous gift of a kidney which added years to her life. Lorene died on Sunday, September 4, 2011 at 9:05 p.m. in Erhard's loving arms and in the presence of loved ones and friends. Lorene was preceded in death by her sister Twila, her mother Marie, and father William. She is survived by Erhard, her beloved husband of 46 years, by numerous cousins, Erhard's family and many friends. A prayer service was held on Wednesday, September 7, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. from the Burgar Memorial Chapel (4817 51 Ave, Camrose, AB.) Funeral services were held on Thursday, September 8, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. from the Messiah Lutheran Church Camrose (4810 51 Street) with Bev Swanson and Rev. Laverne Hoveland officiating. Interment took place prior to service at 11:00 a.m. in the Camrose Cemetery. Memorial contributions are gratefully accepted to The University of Alberta (In Memory of Lorene Pinno for the establishment of a scholarship for disabled needy students, or to a charity of one's choice. Lorene's Confirmation Verse: My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. John 10: 27,28