Frances J. Lorenzen

Frances June Lorenzen, age 91, of Clear Lake, was born on June 18, 1934 to Marcus and Clara (Martens) Billerbeck the baby of the family.  Frances passed away peacefully on June 28, 2025 in Kanawha Community Nursing Home. 

Frances grew up on the farm southeast of Reinbeck Iowa with her six siblings. Frances was a 1952 graduate of Reinbeck, Iowa. She and her twin sister, the famed "Billerbeck twins", won the 1952 Iowa Girls State Basketball Championship 61-55. Those numbers were special to her. She graduated from Iowa State Teachers’ College (University of Northern Iowa) earning her teaching degree. She taught elementary grades in the Gladbrook School District.

On August 14, 1957, Frances was united in marriage to Russell Lorenzen at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. Together, they raised 6 children: Brian, Scott, Lori, Dirk, Jill, and Lynne on a farm in the Reinbeck area until 1969. They moved to Dysart, Iowa until 1977. The family then moved south of Clear Lake.  Living on the farm, mom had a big garden. Summers were spent reaping the garden’s rewards.

Frances lived her life for her family. She loved getting her family together. She and her siblings orchestrated extended family holiday gatherings attended by cousins and second cousins creating strong family ties and love. Mom attended every band and chorus concert, every track meet, football game, and basketball game for her children and grandchildren. She followed all Iowa high school sports and college sports. She loved March Madness pools, showing favoritism for the Big 12 teams. When the Des Moines Register was delivered, Mom and Dad had an understanding that Mom got the sports page and Dad got the rest of the paper.

Frances was forever a teacher, often telling her kids to, “Get out the Funk and Wagnalls”. She worked as Ventura City librarian then returned to the school system where she served as elementary and high school librarian for Ventura Schools. Frances later worked administering the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), testing young minds all over Iowa until the age of 79. After retirement, Frances faithfully volunteered as a Clear Lake reading buddy and did this until age 88. She loved talking sports with the kids and reciting Shel Silverstein’s “Melinda Mae” poem from memorization. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Clear Lake.

Fran was well received by the residents and staff of the Kanawha Community Care Center. We are grateful for the love and care that was shared. 

Frances is survived by her children: Brian (Sally) Lorenzen of Steamboat Rock, IA; Scott (Sandy) Lorenzen of Ventura; Lori (Bruce) Flatness of Scottsdale, Ariz.; Dirk Lorenzen of Phoenix, Ariz.; Jill (Steve) Sandvig of Boone; and Lynne Lorenzen of Coos Bay, Ore. She has twelve grandchildren: Eric (Tiffany) Lorenzen, Brock (Mallory) Lorenzen, Kassi Cunningham, Hannah (Brett) Lorenzen, Ashley (Casey) Pothour, Leah (Nick) Davis, Tanner Flatness, Serena (Zach) Taylor, Claire Sandvig, Tate Sandvig, Sierra Ward, Cedar Ward, and seventeen great-grandchildren: Penelope, Margot, Sylvia Lorenzen; Abigail, Kaitlyn, Charlotte Lorenzen; Tarren, Kiara, Lili, Aspen, Regyn Cunningham; Ainsley, Grayson, Camden Pothour; Daniel, Connor Davis; Clayton Taylor; and sisters-in-law June Meikle, Luane Lorenzen, Marian Lorenzen, and AnnRae Billerbeck,  along with many nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Russell in 2021; her sisters Eunice Neil, Leora Neil, Reva Billerbeck, Myrne Billerbeck and her twin sister Francine Klahsen and her brother Donald Billerbeck; and her son-in-law Richard Ward.

Please join us in celebration of Frances on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, the family will greet family and friends from 4-6 p.m. at Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 310 First Ave North Clear Lake, Iowa 50428.

Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.