Loris Loretta Appel's Obituary
Lori Appel, age 65, was born two months prematurely, in Beatrice, Nebraska. Entering this world as a premature infant, Lori’s life began in adversity. Her life was marked with joys and trials, and is remarkable because of her great compassion and kindness. Her family was not well-to-do as her father, a school teacher and church organist, was sometimes paid in garden produce and chickens. Lori’s mother died when she was 13, and then, tragically, her father passed away when she was 16. Newly orphaned, Lori left her home in 1960 to go live with her older brother Melvin in Medicine Lodge, Kansas. Melvin and his wife Joann loved Lori, but they were strict and encouraged Lori to get a job immediately. Lori’s gift of love and caring was recognized at her first job, working as an aid in a nursing home. Lori graduated high school at Medicine Lodge High School in Medicine Lodge, Kansas, in 1962. She was accepted at St. John’s College in Winfield, Kansas, where she received an Associate’s degree in Early Education. Lori worked through college as a Dietary Aid in the kitchen of the State Hospital. She transferred to Midwestern University in Wichita Falls, Texas, and began teaching kindergarten at St. Paul Lutheran School in order to pay her tuition. Lori was living alone in Wichita Falls when one Thursday afternoon a Lutheran Brotherhood Insurance salesman knocked on her door as she was about to leave to go to PTA meeting. He went home to Oklahoma that very night and told his mother that he’d met the girl he would marry. On Saturday, Darvin Appel had his first date with his future wife of 45 years. They married four months later on Christmas Day in 1965. Three years and two days later, they had their first child. In 1974, the family moved to Irving, and Lori was able to dedicate several years to being a stay-at-home-mom. In 1980, Lori joined the faculty of Good Shepherd Lutheran School, Irving, as the First Grade teacher. It was a blessing that Lori taught her two younger daughters in the first grade. Lori made many life-long friends at Good Shepherd. Life’s journey was rich and full for Lori. The family enjoyed many years of blessings: the births of three healthy daughters, happy family vacations and family reunions, good jobs, and wonderful friends. The family also faced many calamities: serious illnesses, disabling and crippling accidents, long term job losses and financial ruination. Through every trial, Lori remained faithful to her Lord and her church. She was also committed to her husband and children. The times were difficult, but as Helen Keller said, “Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.” Through her faith in Christ Jesus, Lori Appel found a wellspring of compassion and love to share with those around her. A beloved teacher at John Haley Elementary for 25 years, she also worked part time at Family Christian Store for ten years, and prior to that, worked part time for Waldenbooks for eight years. She was a faithful servant to her church, volunteering in Sunday school, Vacation Bible School, and other ministries. Lori Appel touched hundreds of lives with her genuine kindness and love. She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter H. Prothe and Clara Kettler Prothe; her siblings, Wilbert Prothe, Melvin Prothe, and Clara Prothe Toepke. She is survived by her devoted husband of 45 years, Darvin Appel; three daughters, Lisa Hill, Cindy Burleson, Tammy Appel; her son-in-law, Michael Hill; grandchildren, Julio Polanco, Christian Hill, Jared Burleson and Lydia Burleson; her brother and sister-in-law, Eldon and Jean Prothe; her brother-in-law and his wife, Ivan and Elsa Toepke: many nieces and nephews; countless former students, and truly great friends. The family requests, that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to the Helping Hands Fund at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Irving, TX. Lori Appel entered her rest and met her Savior on October 30, 2010, in Dallas, while surrounded by family and friends.
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