Obituary: Paul Edward Lorenzen (1935-2019)

Obituary submitted by family–
Paul Edward Lorenzen was born in Minnesota, July 8th, 1935 to Della Bessie and William August Lorenzen. He was one of 7 children. His mother died tragically when he was 16 and he was raised by his father for the remainder of his childhood. 

He met Rita Anne Morris in Northern California and married her on March 4th, 1956. Together, they raised 4 children. Ed Lorenzen of Norman, Oklahoma, Lori Blakesley of Thermopolis WY, Lawrence Lorenzen of Casper WY, and Lance Lorenzen of Marshall Michigan. They are blessed with 14 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.

Paul spent his career as a member of the California Iron Workers Association. The family remembers Christmas always being Xmas Eve as Dad always worked the holiday. Pulp Mill shut downs doing their yearly maintenance and rebuilds. He was involved in San Francisco high risk earthquake retro fitting and loved to talk about his adventures from those days.

Upon retirement from the Iron Workers Union they moved to Wyoming where they together ran Kirby Enterprises, a Roustabout and Hot Shot business from 1977-1985. Mom has many stories of Hot Shot trips she and Lance made with short diversions of fun along the way, “Dad will never know!”

Following his retirement, he went back to work for the Iron Workers as Steward, bidding jobs in the Bay area of Northern California. It was during this time that he suffered an injury that ended his working career with a significant injury. He recovered and continued with his life style of puttering, fixing, and creating. 

Paul was well known for his long and entertaining hunting stories, which he loved to repeat often. (Children and/or grandchildren could perhaps recite one from memory if anyone has forgotten?!?!?) 

In the last 5 years of his life, he and Anne had settled in Thermopolis, WY, shortly after that, Anne suffered a stroke and the debility remaining from that has required assistance 24/7, thus, she now lives at Life Care Center in Casper, WY. Dad stated many times in talking with Lori, “I turn to talk to her and she isn’t there. When will that stop?” His heart never was not connected to her even though they lived apart the last 2 years.

While in Thermopolis, he became involved in the Set Free Ranch Ministry and became a father figure to more than one of the “ranch gang.” He is greatly missed, and fondly spoken of amongst the Set Free Family. I am not sure how long it will be before we can look at his chair and get misty eyed. He was always there during worship warm up and it will be a long time until I, as his daughter, can see his empty chair and not shed a tear.

He passed peacefully July 26th, at St. Vincent Hospital in Billings, Montana after totally using all his body has to offer him. He characterized this quote: “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving in a safely and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and proclaiming ‘Wow, what a ride.'” I know his journey was not over in his estimation, he wanted to see the completion of the Set Free Church Building project. But, he certainly slid in with a totally used up body. He wasn’t one to sit out any activity. He participated to the best of his ability doing things his doctors told him not to do, killing snakes, hiking, fishing, hunting well past what some would consider a reasonable stopping point. When his local physician told him with a long drawn out authoritative explanation of why he should use a walker, “I’m not going to” was his direct response.

Paul is survived by 4 siblings: Delmar Lorenzen, Judy Warren, Billy Lorenzen, and Wilma Downing all of Northern California.

He is now at peace and happy for eternity with his heavenly Father. He will be missed and fondly remembered. We love you Dad.

2 Corinthians 5:1-2 NLT 

Service 10 a.m. Thursday August 1, 2019
Lower Terrance Hot Springs St. Park Thermopolis WY
Light lunch following