On July 16, 2015 the friends and family of Ervin Theodore Lorenz said goodbye. He was born in 1918 before talking movies, ballpoint pens, and credit cards! Ervin followed his brother Roy as the youngest son to Albert Carl and Emma Witt Lorenz in Hankinson North Dakota. A home town boy that loved all things American including Apple Pie and Baseball! “Sump” Lorenz played shortstop for his High School team and loved every minute of it! Fortunately television was invented and later in life he enjoyed watching the Twins play ball!
Ervin was a faithful American and served in the US Army during World War 2. He was stationed in the Panama Canal as part of the buildup of US forces. Eighteen months later he was moved to Europe with the 42nd Rainbow Division of the US Seventh Army. He served tours of duty in France, Southern Germany and Austria. On April 29, 1945 the 42nd Division liberated the notorious Nazi Concentration Camp, Dachau.
After the war he settled in Elbow Lake, MN and made his career as a Linotype operator for the Grant County Herald newspaper. He made many friends including one blue-eyed beauty in particular. Ervin and Marilyn were married and made their homes in Douglas and Stearn counties while he continued in the printing business.
Ervin was a family man. He and Marilyn had two boys, Paul Anthony and Steven Wayne. The family especially enjoyed camping in Two Harbors MN on the shores of Lake Superior. His wife Marilyn tragically died of breast cancer in 1985 and shortly thereafter both boys left home and went on to their perspective careers. Paul married Sheri Drysdale in 1997 and Steve married Meg Nesbit in 2004.
Ervin spent many afternoons visiting with his nephew David Lorenz with whom he shared a close relationship. Ervin travelled as long as he was able to visit his children in Dallas, TX and Winston Salem, NC. Ervin had five grandchildren that loved him dearly, Ben, Daniel, Jonathan, Hannah and Katie.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, July 22, 2015, 2:00 PM at Zion Lutheran Church in Alexandria. Burial will be at Kinkead Cemetery. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home. www.andersonfuneral.net