Loren Ivener

Loren Ray Ivener, 79, of Jonesboro passed away suddenly in Dandridge, Tenn., on Dec. 30, 2022, while returning from a family Christmas vacation. He was born in Sioux City, Iowa, on March 21, 1943, to the late Alex and Sara Victor Ivener.

Loren graduated from Central High School in Sioux City in 1961 and from Morningside College in 1964. He was in the inaugural class of Visti Volunteers of America in 1965.

Assignments included St. Louis in an intercity mission and the Job Corps Center in Hot Springs before settling in Jonesboro where he resided until his death. He was a member of Temple Israel and a Scottish Rites Mason.

He worked for many years with Crowley's Ridge Development Council where he was instrumental in developing the predecessor of the Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas. He chartered and operated for 25 years, Dimensions, a nonprofit located in Jonesboro. Dimensions contracted with the State DASEP program to screen DWI offenders in the courts in seven Northeast Arkansas counties and make recommendations for sentencing. Teaching DWI classes necessary for offenders to regain their licenses was part of the program.

Dimensions also administered a child safety and car seat distribution program for the Arkansas State Police as well as teaching court-ordered domestic abuse classes. He spent most of his professional career in roles that helped those whose lives were in transition and who needed support in order to improve their status.

He had been a behind-the-scenes volunteer at Helping Neighbors Food Pantry since his retirement.

In addition to his parents, Loren was predeceased by his first wife and mother of his children, Martha Anderson Ivener, and two brothers, Arnold Ivener and Harold Ivener.

Survivors include one sister, Rena Lessor of Spring, Texas; his wife of 16 years, Elizabeth Buchanan Ivener; two children, Jennifer Ivener of Memphis and Aaron Ivener of Webb City, Mo.; several nieces; and Elizabeth's children, Angie Holbrook and her son Adam of Spotsylvania, Va., Mike Coffman of Chicago and Becky (Jeff) Mendenhall of Tigard, Ore., who he considered his bonus children.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Temple Israel Social Hall, 203 W. Oak Ave. in Jonesboro.

The family requests that memorials be made to Friends of the Library, 315 W. Oak, Ave., Jonesboro 72401, or to Helping Neighbors Food Pantry, 501 W. Highland Drive, Jonesboro 72401.