Loralee “Lori” Grace Holton, 82 of Sister Bay, formerly of Burr Ridge, IL, passed away unexpectedly with her husband by her side on Friday, March 1, 2024 at Door County Medical Center.
Lori was born on November 20, 1941 in Chicago, the daughter of the late Alfred and Bernice (Stowell) Schwegler. Her childhood was one of horseback riding, painting lessons at the Art Institute of Chicago and long walks with her grandfather through Lincoln Park. Lori attended Lincoln Park High School and was an active member of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ.
Dedication to others was a through line in her life. Lori spent precious years raising her children then never idle, became an avid volunteer. She worked as the Volunteer Coordinator at Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, IL, was a Sunday school teacher, active in parent teacher organizations and was Literature Secretary for an international non-profit Christian organization.
Lori had a lifelong love for learning and was willing to try something new. She earned dual master’s degrees at the University of Illinois and Lewis National College in Evanston. She was a dedicated teacher and School Psychologist for over twenty years with the Highland Park school system before retiring from Naperville Central High School in Naperville.
On June 26, 1994, she married Ross Holton on the University of Chicago campus. She and her husband loved to travel, visiting over 40 countries. Lori enjoyed long distance walking, studied and practiced various yoga and meditation disciplines plus attended a wide range of spiritual retreats. Together they retired to Door County and became active members of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Sister Bay where they found a supportive Christian community and lifelong friends. At St. Luke’s she was on the Vestry, Altar Guild and served communion to residents at the local nursing home. Lori was a member of the Philanthropic Education Organization (P.E.O) and volunteered at the Clearing Folk School in Ellison Bay.
The surviving family includes her husband, Ross; son, William Stenzel of Middlebury, VT [and his sons, Will, Ansel, and Sacha]; daughter, Leeann (Gary) Campana of Greensboro, GA [and their sons, Bryan (Amanda), Nicholas, and Nathan]; stepchildren, Delanie (Jon) Holton of Boulder, CO and Daniel (Nichole) Holton of L?na?i, HI; and great grandchildren, Olivia, Julian, London and Skylar Campana, Milo, Wyatt and Edie Holton. She is preceded in death by her parents; and two brothers.
A memorial service to celebrate Lori’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 25, 2024 at Shepherd of the Bay Lutheran Church, 11836 State Highway 42, Ellison Bay, WI 54210 with Mother Brit Frazier, rector of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, officiating. Arrivals begin after 10:00 a.m. with a lunch reception at noon.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church (PO Box 559, Sister Bay WI 54234); or the Philanthropic Educational Organization (P.E.O) c/o: Osinski’s (4130 Bagnall Road, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235); or Midsummers Music (10568 Country Walk Lane, Unit 43, Sister Bay, WI 54234).
Casperson Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements, and they welcome online condolences, shared memories and photos at www.caspersonfuneralhome.com.
