My beautiful grandma Dorene lost her battle with lung cancer after a 2 1/2 year battle October 28th. As ugly and full of rage as lung cancer is Reny fought a gracefull, strong, couragous battle. She was able to stay in her home with the help of her AMAZING daughters. I really don't have the words to explain just how wonderful my mom and her 3 sisters were as caregivers to Reny. What great roll models I have!
Here is an excerpt from Reny's obituary, it pretty much says it all about her:
Dorene Ann Koby, 72 of La Crosse died peacefully at home Friday, Oct. 28, 2011, surrounded by her family after a long, courageous battle with cancer.
She was born Jan. 25, 1939, in La Crosse to Leland and Ann (Rottscheit) Peart. She graduated from Aquinas High School in 1957. In that same year, she married Richard Herring and had four daughters. In 1976, she married Robert Koby and they shared 34 happily married years together.
In 1998, she retired after working 32 years at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center.
After retirement, she enjoyed traveling to Europe, Alaska and other parts of the United States and Canada. She also was able to devote more time to her love of the arts.
Dorene loved attending art classes and work shops, perfecting her techniques, and was a member of the La Crosse Society Arts and Crafts. She always kept busy preparing for the next art show or gallery exhibition. Selling her first painting was truly a rewarding experience. Dorene received the Stateline Artist’s Award for outstanding work exhibited at the Wisconsin Regional Art Program in 2007. She expressed her creativity through her love of painting, gardening, sewing and knitting. Dorene was political activist and participated in various political campaigns. She had an adventurous spirit and wasn’t afraid to try new things. Dorene was very proud of her four daughters and eleven grandchildren. They were the joy of her life. She was a big fan of her grandchildren’s sporting events and activities and rarely missed an event. She enjoyed the wonderful gourmet meals her loving husband prepared and the weekend movies they shared. Dorene was a very supportive and loving wife, mother and grandmother and will be sadly missed by her family and friends.
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I am going to miss Grandma's smiling face, her political conversations, margarita night/outings with the girls, laugh, creativity, and advice. She has taught me so much about being a women, daughter, wife, and mother. Love you Reny!
There are so many pictures of Grandma, here a a couple of my favorites. I will have to scan some too. My family is a little camera happy.....but man are we happy about that now!
Enjoying a little relaxation
Floating around.....this is a typical summer activity for our family.
Pretty grandma!
The girls have met for lunch birthdays 4 times a year (1 birthday for each season!) It is such a great tradition and this started back in the '70's. Pictures are taken each time, we will continue the tradition!
Owen and his "GiGi"
Smith/Webinger/Koby crew
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