Obituaries / LJWorld.com

Obituaries

Loretta Lillian DeSandro was born July 29, 1928, at Herington, Kansas, to the Reverend Walter Gustav and Hilda Biel. She attended Lutheran grade schools in Shady Brook and Linn, KS, and was confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Linn, where her father was pastor. After graduation from Linn High School, she attended St. John’s College, Winfield, KS. For many years she was an administrative assistant at various companies, retiring from Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company in 1986.
She married Robert Ivan Bauer in Clay Center, KS in 1949 and was blessed with three daughters: Karen Fabean, Ft. Mill, SC; Janet Reznicek, Lawrence, KS; and Judith Bauer, Kansas City, MO. In 1978, she married Louis John DeSandro. In 1984, she and Louis moved to Sun City West, AZ. They traveled extensively, visiting all 50 states and many countries in Europe, Central America and the Pacific Rim.
Throughout her life, Loretta was actively involved in the Lutheran church, carrying out many volunteer roles. She also was instrumental in creating a vibrant support group for the Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation in Phoenix, Arizona.
In 2008, Loretta returned to Kansas to be closer to her family. She lived at Brandon Woods in Lawrence and treasured her many new friends. She is survived by three daughters, four grandchildren, one great grandchild, and one brother, Warren Biel. She also is survived by three stepsons: Louis DeSandro Jr., Vincent DeSandro, and Dominic DeSandro; three stepdaughters: Frances Ann Eaton, Therese Roach, and Nina C. Cash; and thirteen grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 11a.m. on Tuesday, July 12, 2012, at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 2700 Lawrence Avenue, Lawrence, KS.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials in her name to the Lutheran Hour Ministries (www.lhm.org); Mission India (www.missionindia.org); or to a charity of donor’s choice and may be sent in care of Warren McElwain, 120 W. 13th , Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.
Online condolences may be sent to warrenmcelwain.com.