Lori L. Sykes

Marengo- Lori Lynn Sykes was born May 15, 1963, in Vinton, Iowa, the daughter of Clarence LeRoy and Ruby Jean (Coberly) Mollenhauer. She graduated from Center Point Consolidated High School in 1981 and then later went on to get her bachelor’s degree from Kaplan University in 2014. Lori was united in marriage to Sam Sykes on June 27,1981, in Center Point. They were blessed with a daughter, Brittany, but later divorced. Lori then found her best friend James Gorsch on October 10, 1991, to this friendship they had two sons, Logan and Travis. She enjoyed traveling and spending time with family. Lori passed away Friday, April 11, 2025, surrounded by her loving family, at her home in Marengo at the age of 61 years.

Lori is survived by her best friend Jim Gorsch; her children Brittany (Dustin) York of Belle Plaine, Logan (Shyanna) Gorsch of Marengo and Travis Gorsch of Des Moines; her grandchild Colter James Gorsch; Father Clarence L. Mollenhauer Sr.; three siblings, Julie (Stephen) Fife of Des Moines, Clarence Mollenhauer Jr. of Gig Harbor, WA and Marsha (Eric) Reihmann of High Amana; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her mother Ruby, sister Darlene Mollenhauer and sister-in-law Jeanie Mollenhauer.

Celebration of Life Service will be 10:30 am Saturday, April 19, 2025, at First United Methodist Church in Marengo. Rev. Joseph Blay will be officiating. Burial will be at the Marengo Cemetery. Visitation will be held 4:00 to 7:00 pm Friday, April 18, 2025, at Powell Funeral Home in Marengo. In Lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established for Safe Haven of Iowa County. Messages and tributes may be left at www.powellfuneralhomes.com. Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Marengo is caring for Lori and her Family.