Agra resident Lora Dettmer, was born the 4 ^th of 5 daughters of Henry and Marie (Seemann) Rahjes on June 24, 1924 in Smith County, KS.  She passed away on Sunday, August 1, 2021 at the Phillips County Hospital in Phillipsburg at the age of 97.

Lora was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter Lutheran Church northeast of Agra where her family membership was at that time.  She attended a one-room country school in Smith County until the 7 ^th grade and received the remainder of her education in Agra, graduating from Agra High School with the class of 1942.  One particular memory of her senior year was waving out the second story school windows at the troop trains going by full of young men to be inducted into the military during WWII.

After graduating high school, Lora taught at one-room country schools with a "Normal Training" certificate.  After 2 years, she was ready for a change and saw an advertisement in the newspaper to join the Cadet Nurse Corp.  She visited with Dr. Lee about this idea, and he encouraged her to enroll in the program.  She enrolled through the mail and left Agra on the train on June 6, 1944, heading for Union Station to begin her training at the Kansas City School of Nursing in Kansas City, MO.

Highlights of Nurse's Training Included: the first use of penicillin and working in surgery the day Japan signed surrender papers ending the war.  She graduated as a registered nurse in 1947 and began employment at Hadley Memorial Hospital in Hays, KS.

On March 28, 1948, Lora was united in marriage to Irwin Dettmer at St. John Lutheran Church in Kensington, KS and they began their married life on the farm north of Agra where Irwin was born.  To this union, 3 sons were born: Craig in 1949, Van in 1953 and Brian in 1956.  These years were spent raising the children and being involved with the typical farm work and chores of the time.  Lora was also an excellent seamstress and constructed many items of clothing for local people.

Lora served as Director of Nursing at the new Prairie Haven Nursing Home in Kensington from 1967 until her retirement in 1989.  In her retirement years she could be found every Wednesday with the church quilting group.  Anything else needing to be done could not be accomplished on Wednesdays, because  "that was quilting day".  She and Irwin also enjoyed traveling on some bus trips during this time.

As grandchildren arrived, many hours were enjoyed playing cards with them and just being together.  Church life was very important to Lora, and her strong faith was shared with them as well.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Irwin in 2005, sisters; Margaret Kendall, Elfrieda Pagenkopf, Doris Long and Clara King.

Survivors include her sons; Craig and wife Janet of Kensington, Van & wife Carla of Agra and Brian and wife Linda of Kensington; sister-in-law Irma Brandt of Lincoln, NE; grandchildren: Keith Dettmer and wife Lacey of Ozawkie, KS, Neal Dettmer  and partner Tyler Bryant of Denver, CO, Russell Dettmer of Agra, Jordan Dettmer and wife Christina of Phillipsburg and Larissa Dettmer & Fiance Ian Ostenberg of Lenexa, KS; 10 great grandchildren also survive, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, Aug. 5 at 10:30 a.m. in the St. John Lutheran Church, Kensington, with Pastor Lorna Paulus officiating. The service will be streamed live on the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel Facebook page. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5:00 to 9:00 Tues. & 9:00 to 9:00 Wed. at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg.

Memorial contributions may be made to the church.