Robert Lorentzen

(May 1, 1920 - January 25, 2017)

Robert (Bob) Lorentzen, age 96, of Pine River, passed away on Wednesday, January 25, 2017, at St. Joseph's Medical Center, Brainerd. He was born to Carl and Ada Lorentzen on May 1, 1920 in Omaha, Nebraska. Bob grew up in Omaha and was married to his wife, Fran, for 72 years. Fran passed away in September of 2013. Bob loved to swim and was on his High School Swim Team and a life guard during the summers in Omaha. Bob served in the United States Navy during World War II. After the war, Bob and Fran setup housekeeping in Omaha and bought a home there. Bob worked firing coal boilers at a large steam heating plant in downtown Omaha. He took correspondence courses to earn his 2nd class and later his first class engineer's license. With his newly acquired license, his was hired by Omaha Public Power Company to operate steam boilers at one of the company's power generation plants. Later he became a power / power machinery foreman for Allied Chemical Company at its large fertilizer plant south of Omaha. Bob and Fran came to Minnesota several times a year to fish, then in 1965, moved to the area and purchased Clamshell Beach Resort on the Whitefish chain. Bob served many years on the Ideal Township Board. After selling their resort, Bob and Fran continued in the resort business by managing their son's resort on Gull Lake. Bob and Fran were active members of the Grace United Methodist Church. Bob worked tirelessly for many years on the church's Pasties committee. Bob lived the past 3 and a half years in the Good Samaritan Senior Living facility in Pine River.

Bob is survived by his son, Bob Jr., and his wife Marianne, grandchildren Kristin Steffen and Brian Lorentzen and great grandchildren Jacob Lorentzen, Rebekah Lorentzen, Maggie Lorentzen, Cameron Steffen and Chase Steffen.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Frances and sister, June.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11 AM on Friday, February 3, at Grace United Methodist Church, Pequot Lakes. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Burial will be 1 PM at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery, Little Falls.