Lorena M. Joseph, 94, of Columbus, Nebraska, died Friday, July 11, 2025, at Brookestone Acres in Columbus.

The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, July 16 at 11:00 AM at Peace Lutheran Church in Columbus with Rev. Cory Burma officiating.  Private family interment will be in Roselawn Memorial Cemetery.  Visitation will be on Wednesday from 9:30 AM until service time at the church.  There will be a family prayer service on Wednesday at 10:45 AM also at the church.

Lorena was born September 26, 1930 to Otto and Anna (Huedepohl) Von Ahsen in Williamsburg, Iowa.  She graduated from Williamsburg High School in 1948, where she was crowned their first homecoming queen.  After graduation she worked in Chicago, Illinois until her marriage to Gerald "Jerry"  Joseph on April 30th 1949.  After living in Illinois for a few years they settled in Columbus, Nebraska where they raised their five children, Sharman, Mark, Peggy, Terrie and Jerry.

Lorena was a charter member of Peace Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday School, belonged to Women's Guild and was a member of Voices of Peace choir for almost 50 years.  In her younger years she enjoyed playing golf, bowling and was a member of Mother Singers (now known as the Consonaires).  Possessing such a beautiful soprano voice, she was often asked to sing at weddings and special events. She was also an avid bridge player and loved cheering on the Huskers.  But her first love was spending time with her kids, grandkids and great-grandkids.

Lorena is survived by:
Daughters - Sharman (Mylo) Bushing of Lincoln, NE; Peggy (Frank) Skorupa of Columbus, NE; and Terrie Ewert of Columbus, NE
Son - Jerry (Kelli) Joseph of Omaha, NE
Daughter-in-law - Sandy (Mrs. Mark) Joseph of Columbus, NE
Brother-in-law - James (Jim) Joseph of Oconomowoc, WI
12 grandchildren -
Jenny (Stuart) Crittenden
Tim (Amor) Joseph, Vicky Joseph
Jill (Dave) Skorupa-Erickson, Leah (Tom) Skorupa-Mezger, Annie Skorupa
Chuck (Kathy) Ewert, Angie (Ron) Hake, Mandy (Brandon) Wemhoff, Christie (Jesus) Rodriguez,
Kelsey (Chris) Ellis, Nicole (Kris) Szymczak
23 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by:
Husband - Gerald L. "Jerry" Joseph
Son - Mark Joseph
Parents - Otto & Anna Von Ahsen
Sister & spouse - Laverna & Nolan Oakes
Brothers and spouses - Eldon & Helen Von Ahsen and Mervin & Darlene Von Ahsen.
Sisters-in-law and spouses - Lorene & Herb Morlok, Delores & Bill Timm
Brothers-in-law and spouses - Wilber (Joe) & Dorothy Joseph, Herb & Gloria Joseph, Edward & Vivian Joseph, Louis & Phyllis Joseph, Walter & Marion Joseph, and Ervin Joseph
Sister-in-law - Fay Joseph