Obituary for Lanora Brorsen

Lanora Ann Brorsen

December 24, 1933 – July 7, 2022

Lanora Ann (Lowry) Brorsen, 88, passed away at her home in Perry on Thursday July 7, 2022. Lanora was born on December 24, 1933 in Wilson, Oklahoma to James and Billie (Gunter) Lowry. She and Bart Brorsen were married on January 23, 1954 in Rush Springs, Oklahoma.

Lanora spent her early years amongst the southern Oklahoma oil fields where her dad was employed until her family moved to Rush Springs where they raised chickens, ran a dairy, grew watermelons and operated a feed store. At Rush Springs, Lanora learned piano, played saxophone in the band, played basketball on the high school team, was president of the Home Economics Club, and kept the books for her uncle’s watermelon business.

Lanora attended Oklahoma State University, then Oklahoma A&M College, and it was there she and Bart met while both were animal husbandry students. Bart recalls meeting her in a livestock judging class while Lanora remembered Bart asking her out for one night and then another until she said OK. Their first date was a dance at the Student Union. It rained that night. Lanora recalled, “He thought that was a good sign because there had been a drought and he had gone with me and it rained.”

They made their home northeast of Perry where they farmed and ranched, growing cattle, wheat, alfalfa, and raising six kids. Today there are more than 60 members of their extended family¬-kids, grandkids, great-grandkids and spouses.

Lanora took an active part in the farm business, driving trucks, getting parts, making and taking lunches to the field, and keeping the farm financial records. In 1983, Lanora and Bart and their family were recognized as Oklahoma Farm Family of the Year by the Oklahoma Farm Bureau.
She was an excellent cook, her specialty being country-style food. Around the large wooden table in her home, she fed her family and farm workers alike. Birthdays and holidays were always good cause for celebration with Lanora. Once she even sported rabbit ears and a cotton tail to hide eggs in the annual family backyard Easter egg hunt. One of her many talents was thoughtful gift giving. She delighted in thinking about each member of her large family and choosing a special Christmas and birthday present for them.

Lanora was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church, Ladies Tuesday Afternoon Club, and PEO. For nearly 20 years, she enjoyed having a booth at Antiques on the Square where she sold her finds from auctions and estate sales.

Mostly, Lanora will be cherished for her presence, her gentle and patient nature, her encouraging words and wisdom, her steadfast love, as well as her keen mind and sense of humor.

Lanora was preceded in death by her parents, sister Lou Hollingshead and brother Joe Bryan Ross.

Lanora is survived by her husband Bart and their children: Barbara (David) Ley of Nichols Hills, Verl (Dianna) Brorsen of Perry, Wade (Kathy) Brorsen of Stillwater, Annette (Mike) Schrammel of Stillwater, Les (Cindy) Brorsen of Falls Church, Virginia, and Carol (Kate) Bradsen of Aurora, Colorado; 18 grandchildren: Tyler (Jessica) Ley, James (Crystal Davis) Ley, Travis (Heather) Brorsen, Anna Marie (Jake) Murrell, Laura (Ryon) Vollmer, Wesley (Haley) Brorsen, Kurt (Adrienne Ohler) Brorsen, Russell (Joslin) Brorsen, Rose (Jake) Welchans, Beth (Tim) Perk, Katie (Edward) Burden, Marie Schrammel, Jack Brorsen, Will Brorsen, Henry Brorsen, Lowry Bradsen, Elizabeth Bradsen, Susanna Bradsen; 21 great grandchildren: Ethan and Isabel Ley; Bleu Brorsen; Jonah and Arlo Murrell; Tucker, Sawyer, and Walker Vollmer; Hayes and Augie Brorsen; Banks, Otto, Wren, Penn, and Poppy Brorsen; Conrad, Roxanne, and Edie Welchans; Nate and John Perk, Norah Burden; one brother, James Lowry, Jr. and sister-in-law Dorris Lowry of Florida; sister-in-law Metha Brorsen Singleton of California; and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Gideons International in care of Trout Funeral Home of Perry.

Source: Trout Funeral Home