Eugene Edward Lorentz passed away at the Veterans Administration Hospital of Minneapolis on December 6, 2021.
Memorial Service: 1 PM Friday December 10, 2021 at the First Presbyterian Church of Howard Lake
Visitation: 4-7 PM Thursday December 9, 2021 at First Presbyterian Church of Howard Lake and 1 hr. prior to memorial service on Friday.
Interment: Howard Lake Cemetery
Eugene (Gene) E. Lorentz passed away at the Minneapolis VA Hospital on Monday, December 6, 2021 having reached the age of 75 years, 3 months and 15 days. Gene was born in Cokato, MN on August 21, 1946 at the Cokato Hospital to Clarence and Ardis (Hess) Lorentz. He was baptized at the First Presbyterian Church in Howard Lake, MN and confirmed in his faith on March 27, 1959.
Gene began his education at the Rice Lake country school and then Howard Lake Public School graduating as a member of the class of 1964. Shortly after graduating from high school he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps (USMC) in June of 1964 and served until May of 1967. He was among the first ground troops sent to Vietnam serving 18 months in that country. After being honorably discharged from the USMC, he returned home to Howard Lake and took over the operation of the family farm from his parents. Gene was born the same day his parents purchased the farm where he made his lifelong home with his family.
On August 15, 1970, he married Terry L. Westphal at St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake. Their marriage was blessed with three sons. After a farm injury in 1979, he was forced to sell the dairy cows. He continued to run the cropland for a few more years. His sons currently operate the farm with help from their families. He then worked at various jobs as an airline dispatcher for Northwest Airlink, at the Howard E. Morris Agency, and Interstate-Payco Seeds. He was a lifetime member of the Howard Lake American Legion Post 145, the Marine Corps League, the HLWW FFA Alumni, and the Randall, MN VFW. He served as a school board member and board chairman for the Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted School District, and as a Supervisor on the Stockholm Township Board.
He was preceded in death by his paternal and maternal grandparents, his parents Clarence and Ardis Lorentz, infant sister Mary Jane, brother-in-law Richard Barberg, father and mother-in-law Raymond and Helen Westphal, sister and brother-in-law Linda and Wally McCurdy. He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Terry, sons Jeffrey, Anthony (Angela), and Patrick (Angie). Seven grandchildren Jacob, Jordan, Jackson, Brady, Leah, Wyatt, and Benjamin. He is further survived by 5 brothers David (Jean), Dale (Tunnie), Albert (Marlene), Leo, and Michael (Cher). Six sisters Rose Barberg, Eva (Royal) Moulton, Joyce (Herbert) Smith, Sue (John) Tapio, Shirley (Martin) Javurek, Trudy (Kelly) Clausen. Also by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Urn bearers are Gene’s grandchildren. Honorary urn bearers are Dennis Mahlstedt, Bruce Carlson, and Riley Hoheisel. Internment will be at the Howard Lake Cemetery.