Lorene Ann Freeborn, 70, Atchison, died Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2016, at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, KS.

She was born Aug. 3, 1946, at Columbus, NE, the daughter of Hubert and Gladyce (Faiman) Sellhorst. She grew up in the Dodge and Clarkson, Nebraska communities.

In the summer of her junior year in high school, Lorene was chosen by the National Science Foundation to study nuclear physics at Coe College at Cedar Rapids, IA. She graduated from Clarkson High School in 1964 as Valedictorian and as a National Merit Finalist. Lorene attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln for four years and worked at Dennison Drug.

She married Jon Freeborn, June 8, 1968, at New Zion Presbyterian Church at Clarkson, NE. They later moved to Topeka, and then Lawrence, where she resumed her studies of the University of Kansas. She belonged to Rho Chi, an honorary pharmacy society, and Kappa Epsilon, a fraternity for women in pharmacy. Lorene graduated with honors from KU in 1969, and was registered as a pharmacist in 1970.

She and Jon moved back to Topeka where she worked at the Santa Fe Hospital, Hudson Pharmacy and Platt Villa West Drug. Upon moving to Valley Falls, she worked at Frank’s Pharmacy. She did relief work at pharmacies at Onaga, Holton, Oskaloosa, Nortonville and Topeka.

In 1984 she began working at Ball Brothers Drug at Atchison, retiring after 26 years of service due to health reasons.

Lorene was a member of the Atchison United Methodist Church, and had belonged to several church circle groups and service clubs.. Her hobbies were drawing, reading, and solving crossword and Sudoku puzzles.

Survivors include her former husband, Jon Freeborn, Atchison; her daughter, Kimberly (Rich) Fialkowski, Valley Falls; her brother, Dr. Russ (Joanie) Sellhorst, Spokane, WA; four grandchildren, Bailey Freeborn, Tabitha Fialkowski, Richie Fialkowski, and Sara (Lassiter) Fialkowski; four great-granddaughters, Maddie, Adley, Allannah and Addison; and several cousins and good friends.

A Celebration of Lorene’s Life will be held privately in early January. Mercer Funeral Home in Valley Falls is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences are welcome at www.mercerfuneralhomes.com.