Lori A. Story

Lori A. Story, age 60 of Dubuque, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 9, 2019 at home, surrounded by her loving family.  To celebrate Lori’s life, family and friends may visit from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, March 15, 2019 at the Steeple Square, 105 East 15th Street, Dubuque.  To honor Lori’s life, a Celebration of Life will be held at 7:00 p.m. at Steeple Square, with Pastor Jack Redmond officiating.  The Tri-State Cremation Center is humbly serving Lori’s family.

 

Lori was born on March 3, 1959, in Hazel Green, Wisconsin, a daughter to Francis “Pete” and Mary (Kisting) Splinter.  Lori did her part in making the world a better place while taking care of others and her years in the working world would concurrently reflect her passion as such.  She faithfully spent many years as a phlebotomist at both the United Clinical Laboratories and Dubuque Internal Medicine until she eventually had to retire due to health issues.  She was known well by her patients. She had also invested a few years working in other locations, but at the end of the day her work in the lab was where she truly felt she was making a positive impact for others.  Lori wasn’t just all about work though.  She treasured her homelife with family, visitors and was beyond grateful to have found true love with her adoring husband, Timothy “Timmy” Story.  The two have been inseparable since they met and married in 1995.  These last months of fighting that Lori had to endure were made much easier for her, knowing that her unwavering partner and best friend was always by her side along with her fur “babies” Bella, Riley and Tilly.

 

Lori also had a natural affinity for all of God’s 4-legged creatures.  Making a difference took shape in many forms for her.  If she was capable of making any situation better for another living creature, you could bet she’d be right there.  Lori’s commitment to the Dubuque Humane Society and the ASPCA were always on display for those who knew her.  Lori also enjoyed a little downtime to relax with family and friends whenever possible.  In years past, she would love to sit around the campfire, or even try her luck at bingo, faithfully every Thursday night.  These were definite possibilities when she was still feeling well enough.  A little serene solitude could also find its way into Lori’s days from time to time and an evening of working the crochet needle back and forth or getting lost in a novel were a couple of her favorite ways to unwind.  Of course, she had “her shows” that she faithfully followed also.

 

What truly drove Lori’s joyful spirit in this life was her deep and dear relationships with family and friends.  She was always there when someone needed to talk and never missed an opportunity to simply bond.  She was relentless about making sure the people who held a special place in her heart never had to wonder about it.  She was loyal to a fault, honest as they come and forever committed to those she cared about.  To say that Lori was a kind and generous soul may be an understatement, but we’ll have to embrace them for now until more accurate words can be invented.  We will miss her beautiful smile, her contagious laugh and her never-surrender attitude.  Thank you, Lori for so effortlessly being a role-model on how to get the most out of this journey for those of us left behind.  May the Lord give you peace and keep you safe in the palm of His hands until we see you again!  We know you’ve always had many angels watching over you and now you can be with them.  You will be a most beautiful angel.     

 

Those left behind to cherish the memory of Lori include,

her loving husband,

Timothy R. “Tim” Story, Dubuque, Iowa;

 

her daughter,

Shelbie L. (Jeremy) Engler, Dubuque, Iowa;

 

her grandchildren,

Alec J. Specht, David F. Specht and Caleb M. Engler;

 

her great-granddaughter,

Noella A. Engler;

 

her siblings,

Shari Splinter, Bloomington, Wisconsin,

Amy (Thomas) Bergeron, Dubuque, Iowa,

Terry (Stephanie) Schmitt, Raleigh, North Carolina,

Heidi (Bobby) McDonald, Dubuque, Iowa,

and Theresa (George) Dittmar, Dubuque, Iowa;

 

her fur babies,

Riley, Bella and Tilly;

 

along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.

 

Lori was preceded in death by her parents, Mary (Robert) Schmitt and Francis “Pete” (Kay) Splinter; her son, Douglas Engler in infancy; her grandson, Austin Specht in infancy; and her brothers, George Schmitt and Timothy Schmitt.

 

 In lieu of flowers, a Lori A. Story memorial fund has been established which will benefit some of Lori’s favorite causes.

 

Lori’s family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Hospice of Dubuque, Dr. Ron Schope and Laurie at GRMG, and all the nursing staff at Finley Hospital for the kind, compassionate and wonderful care they provided to Lori.

 

Online condolences may be shared with Lori’s family at www.tristatecremationcenter.com

 

 

Public Visitation

Steeple Square
105 East 15th Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52001
March 15th, 2019 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Celebration of Life

Steeple Square
105 East 15th Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52001
March 15th, 2019 at 7:00 PM

2 comments on “Lori A. Story
  1. Donald Busher says:

    Lori’s smile and laughter will truly be missed. RIP Dear Angel.

  2. Mary Sweeney says:

    Tim, so sorry about Lori and your grief. She had a great sense of humor and I loved her laugh. Bless you and yours!

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