January 31, 2018

Lorene Chernenko

Lorene Chernenko, 87, a lifelong McKenzie County resident, passed away Monday, Jan. 22, 2018, at the Good Shepherd Nursing Home in Watford City, N.D.
Lorene Louise Zubke was born on August 5, 1930, to Herbert and Clara (Neckels) Zubke of Killdeer, N.D. She grew up on the family farm east of Grassy Butte, moving into town when her parents assumed ownership of Zubke Mercantile. She completed high school by correspondence, graduating in 1947.
At about the same time, Lorene met a young farmer from the Lone Butte area at a dance. Despite the fact that he stepped on her foot HARD during their first dance, George Chernenko became her husband on May 9, 1951. They were the first couple to be married in the newly-constructed upper level of Redeemer Lutheran Church.
The newlyweds settled on the farm where Lorene grew up and made it their home until George’s death on September 1, 1985. Lorene remained on the farm until she sold it in 2003 and moved to Hillside Court in Watford City. She became a resident of Good Shepherd Home in 2014, and lived there until her death. She could be found playing Bingo almost every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Lorene’s goal was to be a farmer from the time she was a little girl. Her grandma Louise Neckels lived with the family while Lorene was growing up and was not only her baptismal sponsor, but her biggest cheerleader. Grandma Louise made certain that Lorene got a farmer doll complete with bibs, a barn and animals. Peanut shells served as bedding and feed for the animals in Lorene’s active imagination.
The most challenging part of farming was the annual silage cutting. While George ran the silage cutter, Lorene followed behind with the International truck, doing her best to keep up to avoid getting a windshield full of silage. Her children state that their dad quit cutting silage only because Lorene was getting too good at her role!
Lorene is survived by her sisters, Joyce Carson and Maxine (Leo) Braun, all of Dickinson, N.D.; children, Lanae (Ron) Roos of Watford City, N.D. and Reed (Sandy) Chernenko of Bakersfield, Cali.; four grandchildren, Greg (Stacy) Roos of Fargo, N.D., Rachelle (Jake) Seuntjens of Moorhead, Minn., Caitlin (Rob) Daum of Glendale, Ariz., and Cayce Chernenko of Bakersfield, Cali.; and four great-grandsons, Jayden, Owen and Blake Roos, and Noah Seuntjens.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; baby brother, Edgar; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Her funeral service was held at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Grassy Butte, N.D., at 10 a.m. (MST), Monday, Jan 29, 2018. Pastor Heide officiated. Burial will be in Grassy Butte Cemetery, Grassy Butte.
Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home of Watford City is assisting the family.
Friends may sign the on-line register and give their condolences at www.fulkersons.com
Memorial suggestions: Redeemer Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 161, Grassy Butte, ND 58634; the Activity Account at Good Shepherd Home, 709 4th Ave NE, Watford City, ND 58854 or Upper Missouri Ministries, PO Box 111, Epping, ND 58843.

WATFORD CITY WEATHER