Lorene Cecelia Haverkamp Wilson

Lorene Cecelia Haverkamp Wilson passed away peacefully on October 4, 2023 in Gainesville; just 16 days away from her 88th birthday.  She was born in Muenster, Texas on October 20, 1935 to Ben and Mamie (Grewing) Haverkamp.

Lorene and her late husband, Merlin, were owner/operators of the Colonial Restaurant and Catering for nearly forty years.  She went to work in a bakery in Muenster at the age of 14 and began waitressing at the age of 16.  Lorene was well known for her cooking abilities and catered many weddings, family reunions and company parties over the years.  She continued to cook for family and friends and her church as long as she was able.

Lorene was an avid reader and had a large library of books. She also loved cook books and had collected hundreds of them from all over the country. Lorene enjoyed going to garage sales to find bargains and treasures.  She continued to enjoy word search puzzles until recently and her family knew not to call or visit when Wheel of Fortune was on the TV.  She watched the show for many years and could solve the puzzles much of the time.

Lorene was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Merlin Wilson, her parents, sister Marcia Switzer, brothers Benny Haverkamp and Lenny Haverkamp, son-in-law Dean Forney, sisters-in-law Mickey Haverkamp, Veda Simmons, and Dorothy Jean Elliott, and stepson Thomas Dean Wilson.

She is survived by her daughter Sharon Forney, sons Lacy Shotwell and wife Karen, Kenny Wilson and wife Betty, Randy Wilson and wife Robin, Donny Wilson and wife Darla, sister-in-law Joan Haverkamp, step-daughter Kathy Thomas, 17 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, and numerous nieces and nephews and friends.

Pallbearers will be grandsons; Damon Foster, Brent Foster, Doug Shotwell, Brian Shotwell, Kayden Luscomb, Kasey Kuykendall, Kirk Wilson, and Kinzy Wilson. Honorary pallbearers are Colten Wilson, Jared Brown, Jake Stephenson, Garrett Seagraves, Bobby Riley and Reid Riley.

Visitation will be on Friday, October 6, 2023 at George J. Carroll Funeral Home. Rosary will be at 6:00 p.m. and regular visitation from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. The funeral will be on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at 10:00 a.m., also at the funeral home, with burial to follow at Fairview Cemetery.

Please place flower orders directly through a local florist.

https://www.geojcarroll.com/florists