Orland A. Lorenzen

ORLAND A. LORENZEN was born to Herman and Maria (Oye) Lorenzen on April 4, 1925 on a farm in Elmer Township of Pipestone County, MN where he was raised and attended country school. In 1936, he moved with his parents to a farm in Rock County, MN where he continued attending country school. Upon completion of his education, he helped on the farm. In March 1945, he entered the U.S. Army and served during World War II in the infantry in Okinawa. After his honorable discharge from the service on December 7, 1946, Orland returned to Rock County. On March 28, 1949, he was united in marriage to LaVerle Colbeck at the Methodist Church in Pipestone, MN. Following their marriage, they farmed near Hardwick and Edgerton, MN, moving to Beaver Creek, MN for six years. In 1965, they moved to farm north of Magnolia, MN. In 1966, Orland became employed as a clerk at the Post Office in Luverne, MN. In 1973 they moved into Magnolia and Orland continued working at the post office until his retirement in 1991. In July 2011 he and LaVerle moved to The Oaks senior living apartments. On Tuesday, October 1, 2013 Orland died peacefully at the Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD at the age of 88 years, five months and 27 days.

Orland was a member of the United Methodist Church in Magnolia. He was also a charter member of the American Legion Post 478 in Hardwick and was recognized for 50+ years of membership. He enjoyed woodworking, making stables and lawn furniture. He liked gathering wood for the wood burner and also gardening. Orland appreciated simply sitting by the window in his apartment at The Oaks, playing solitaire and watching the world go by. He also loved spending his time with family and friends.

Orland is lovingly remembered by his wife of 64 years, LaVerle Lorenzen; five children, six Grandchildren and three Great-Grandchildren: Sheila (Jeff) Hazard of Sioux Falls, SD, Randal (Becky) Lorenzen of Magnolia (Granddaughter, Emily (Drew) Albin / Great-Granddaughter, Gwen), Sharon (David) Boltjes of Adrian, MN (Granddaughter, Haley), Sharlene (Jim) Vrtacnik of Good Thunder, MN, (Grandsons, Joshua (Kim) and Joseph (Courtney) / Great-Grandchildren, Mackenzie & Emmett), Ryan (Rhonda) Lorenzen of Wakefield, NE (Granddaughters Hannah and Sarah); three Step Grandsons; one Step Granddaughter; three Step Great Grandchildren; one brother, Gerald of Jasper; one sister, Luella Haraldson of Jasper; and four sisters-in-law, Betty Ann Lorenzen of Hardwick, Marian Lorenzen of Jasper, Leora Colbeck of Brookings, SD, and Marion Colbeck of Hopkins, MN; and many nieces and nephews and his family at The Oaks. He was preceded in death by his son, Richard Orland Lorenzen; his parents; three brothers, Eldo, Elvin and Verdeen; five sisters, Vangie Staeffler, Vernice Roemeling, Alice Porter, Betty Jane Sumption, Emily Lorenzen.