Harold R. Lorenz

Harold R. Lorenz was born October 14, 1919 to Louis P. and Florence (Chrapkowski) Lorenz at Rockville, NE.  Harold was educated in Rockville and rural area schools as the family moved.  He graduated from Rockville High School in 1938 and from St. Paul Business College in 1941.  In 1941 he volunteered to serve his country during World War II and was inducted into the Army Air Force (along with his brother Gail) in April, 1944.  He served in the American Theatre in the Panama Canal Zone for 4 years as an Administrative Specialist.  He received an honorable discharge in June of 1945.  He came home to take over the family farm.  He was united in marriage to Margaret Schnase on May 9, 1950.  To them were born 4 children; Patricia, Kathy, Michael and Mark.  He was passionate about the soil, loved all of nature and wild life.  He was diversified in every area of agriculture.  He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Rockville all of his life and served on the church board.  He served on the school board of District 8, was a lifelong member of the American Legion Post #48.  In his younger years he played trumpet in the Rockville town band and occasionally filled in for the Frovin Rasmussen dance orchestra.

He was greatly disabled by the arthritis that required multiple hip surgeries.  Each morning he would go out early in his red truck to watch the sun rise, the wild life and birds while he waited for the mail, coming in to say that he had seen bluebirds, wild turkeys or deer.  He never accomplished a method to keep the squirrels out of the bird feeder and that was a constant challenge.  He and Margaret often watched the sunrise as they had morning coffee.  God gave him long life and he appreciated every day.  He was an avid reader and always open minded to the events of the community and the world.  Harold and family will always be grateful for the exemplary care of Primrose Retirement Community where he was a resident the last two years.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret of Rockville, NE; daughters, Patricia Lovitt and Kathy Thagard of Omaha; sons, Michael of Fullerton and Clay Center, NE; Mark and wife, Ann Lorenz of Lincoln, NE; nine grandchildren and eight great grandchildren, one of which was born moments after grandpa’s passing.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Gail and sister, Marie Ericsen.