LaRena F. Bartholomew, 80, of Austin, Minnesota, died Friday, March 16, 2018, at the Red Wing Health Care Community.

LaRena Fern Lomholt was born May 28, 1937, in Lyle, Minnesota, the daughter of Otto P. and Hazel (Means) Lomholt. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at St. Olaf Lutheran Church. She attended school in the Red Star District 54 country school through the eighth grade and graduated from Lyle High School on June 2, 1955. While attending high school, she was employed by Bresnahan Nursing Home in Austin. LaRena was united in marriage to Ivan Bartholomew on May 12, 1955, in Algona, Iowa. They made their home in rural Austin, where they raised their three children, Kimberly Sue, Karlene Kay and Jeremy Neil. During her life, she worked at the summer ranch for children in Blooming Prairie, Minnesota, and later at the Comforcare Nursing Home for eight years. She then began working at Cedar Child Care Center (now REM) for 17½ years. She loved every handicapped child as if they were her own. Later, when they went into group homes, she was a day supervisor. LaRena loved to sing, yodel, write songs about her loved ones, play bingo and attend garage sales. Her greatest joy was cooking for her family and friends. The couple hosted a large hog roast on July 4 for the Austin National Guard unit after the parade in Lyle. The biggest joy in her life were her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Austin, which she loved so very much. Her Lord meant everything to her; she loved him dearly.

LaRena is survived by daughter, Kimberly (Robert Orr) Horgeshimer; son, Jeremy Bartholomew; grandchildren, Amanda, Karissa (Christopher), Scott (Jenni) Horgeshimer, Shannon (Dustin) Fisher, Dakota Langan, Jeremy Jr., Jack and Allen Bartholomew; great-grandchildren, Kaden, Kasen, Koby, Kameron, Bentley, Meadow and Maverick; sisters, LaRayne (Robert) Jochumsen, LaRaye Anderson and LaFerne Mangan; as well as many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Otto and Hazel Lomholt; her husband, Ivan; daughter and son-in-law, Karlene (Michael) Langan; great-granddaughter, Emma Sue Horgeshimer; siblings, LaVonne Greise, LaVerne Lomholt and LaDonna Lomholt; and a niece, Lori Slowinski. Blessed be her memory.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 21, 2018, at the Worlein Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Karen Behling officiating. Interment will follow the service at Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 21, at the Worlein Funeral Home in Austin. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.