Loretta “Lori” Panther
PANTHER, LEPPERT, LENNON, THOMA, HENKE, BRISTOL, WILKE, LENNON-AUTEN
Posted By: Sarah Fletcher (email)
Date: 4/29/2024 at 07:12:48
Loretta “Lori” Panther, 64, of Iowa City died March 25, 2024, from injuries sustained in a car accident while traveling to New Mexico to visit her sister. She was seated in the back seat of the car, deep into her favorite novel, when a truck struck the car head-on.
Emily, her daughter, and Emily’s fiancé, Jared Leppert, who were traveling with her, removed her seatbelt and performed CPR, but it was unsuccessful.
To celebrate Lori’s life, family and friends will gather on Saturday, April 13, 2024, beginning at 1:00 at The Terry Trueblood Recreation Park Lodge, 579 McCollister Blvd, Iowa City. A memorial service led by Father Ed Fitzpatrick will begin at 1:30 PM. Following the service, light refreshments will be offered at the Lodge.
Lori was born on June 10, 1959, in Fort Dodge, Iowa, to Thomas and Marigene (Thoma) Lennon. She grew up as a farm girl, riding horses, working in the fields, and loving her small rural school, Northwest Webster, where she was an avid basketball player. Her parents, three sisters and brother were a close-knit family who boated, fished and water skied together, and spent glorious summer vacations at Lake Mary in Minnesota with close family friends, the Allards.
Lori graduated from Iowa Methodist School of Nursing in Des Moines before earning her bachelor’s degree in nursing from The University of Iowa. It was as a nurse that Lori discovered one of her greatest gifts. Lori could hold space for people. She offered a compassionate and calm presence to her patients, her family and friends. People often speak of this gift eloquently commenting, “Lori was my rock during the hardest period of my life.” This profound capacity to offer a nonjudgmental and empathetic space was frequently transformative for people.
Lori devoted 35 years to her career as a nurse at The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and after retirement with Hospice.
Lori married Martin “Marty” Panther on January 7, 1989, in Iowa City, and together they raised and doted on their children, Emily and Thomas. Lori considered these two her greatest gift. She celebrated their accomplishments and did everything she could to connect with them and enjoy their company. She even followed NFL teams because Thomas, who is a law student, enjoyed the Detroit Lions. Thomas loved the camaraderie and thoroughly treasured the Chicago Bears mug she gave him for Christmas as she mistook the Chicago bear for a Detroit lion.
Lori was delighted when Emily finished veterinarian school and moved to Milwaukee for her first job. She loved planning for Emily’s upcoming wedding to Jared and entertaining her family with lovely trips, game nights and wonderful meals.
Lori’s many friends formed a close group, frequently spending time on the big pontoon she and her bestie, Vicki Ross, refurbished together. And then, of course, there was Fritz, her amazing gentle dog who comforted her when she was down, insisted on long walks around the lake and engaged her in hours of fetch.
She was an avid learner even in retirement. She became an expert cookie baker—often sharing treats with neighbors, practiced DuoLingo Spanish religiously, and was always absorbed in a new book.
Lori is deeply missed by her children Emily Panther (Jared Leppert) of Milwaukee, WI, and Thomas Panther of Iowa City, IA, and her siblings Linda Henke (David Bristol) of Santa Fe, NM, Sandy (Kurt) Wilke of Fort Dodge, IA, Sue Lennon-Auten (Jerry) of Norwich, VT, and Tim (Mary) Lennon of Barnum, IA. She also is survived by several nieces, nephews and extended family members who loved their aunt’s good nature and interest in their lives. Marty’s family members remained an important part of her circle after his death in 2015.
Lori truly lived a life of grace, and those who knew her are indebted to her generous impact on their lives. Two weeks before she died, she told her sisters, “I am living my best life.”
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to CommUnity Crisis Services, NAMI or Iowa City Hospice.
Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service
Johnson Obituaries maintained by Cindy Booth Maher.
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