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Obituary: Loretta J. Zehr, 88, Croghan
Published: November 14, 2025
By: Provided by Iseneker
Funeral Home
Loretta Jane Zehr
 CROGHAN- Loretta Jane Zehr, 88, of High
Falls Road, passed away on Tuesday November 12, 2025
in Tennessee while visiting her family.
She is survived
by three children, Lonnie Joseph Zehr; Nancy Jane Spence; and JoAnn Meador;
six grandchildren and one on the way, and 24 great-grandchildren, and more
on the way; nieces, nephews and cousins. She is predeceased by a son,
Charles A. Zehr, who passed away on September 4, 1957; granddaughter, Anna
Lynn Widrick, who passed away on July 6, 2025; a sister, Laveda; and two
brothers, Richard and Edward Widrick.
Loretta was born
on November 5, 1937 in Naumburg, NY, a daughter of
the late Andrew M. and Nancy K. Leis Widrick. On June 14, 1956, she married
Joseph Paul Zehr in Beaver Falls, NY. Together with her husband, the couple
owned and operated a dairy farm, and Loretta milked their 55 Holstein cows morning and night for many years. At the same time,
she also worked in the family’s business, Zehr’s Custom Meat Cutting. The
marriage later ended in divorce. Loretta worked for Kraft Foods in Lowville
for many years. After her retirement from Kraft, Loretta cared for elderly
people in their homes.
Loretta was a
member of Naumburg Mennonite Church, where she enjoyed attending services,
and liked to listen to a variety of church services on the radio. She was a
member of the Sassy Seniors (Red Hat Society). Loretta loved blue grass
music and enjoyed many festivals. She loved watching people and visiting.
Loretta loved to travel and spent winters in Myrtle Beach for over 30
years. She enjoyed the Lewis County Fair, the annual Mennonite Auction, and
collecting dolls and bears. Loretta loved the simplicity and setting of her
log home and enjoyed sitting on her porches watching and feeding the birds.
She enjoyed going on shopping trips and eating meals out with friends.
Loretta was also
known as “Lil Red” to her family and friends. She loved all her
grandchildren and their children. Once she learned how to use an iPad, she
would show everyone their photos. She loved visiting with her children
wherever they were and did not go one day without hearing from them.
Maribel Bo-peep was her Chihuahua, and they were inseparable.
Calling hours
will be held on Saturday, November 22, 2025 from 1
– 4 p.m. at Naumburg Mennonite Church. A funeral service and burial will be
held in the spring so that Loretta’s family and friends from near and far
can attend. Contributions in here
memory may be made to Naumburg Mennonite Church, PO Box 124, Castorland,
NY 13620. Arrangements are with Iseneker Funeral Home, Inc., Lowville.
Condolences may
be shared online at www.isenekerfuneralhome.com
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