Loren Lorenzen

TRAER-Loren Lorenzen was born August 30, 1936 to Elmer and Ada (Hanisch) Lorenzen. He was 88 years of age when he died May 21, 2025, surrounded by his wife and daughters on his farm. A Memorial Service will be held Friday, May 30, 2025 at 10:00 AM at Zion Lutheran Church in Dysart with Pastor Mark Urlaub officiating. Interment will follow at Dysart Cemetery. Memorial Visitation will be held Thursday, May 29, 2025 from 4-7 PM at Zion Lutheran Church

Loren was born and raised on a farm east of Reinbeck, Iowa with his five siblings. He attended Reinbeck Community School graduating in 1954. Loren attended Iowa State University his freshman year then transferred to Morningside College with a full scholarship playing football. There he earned All-Conference Honors in the North Central College Football Conference and was inducted into Morningside Football Hall of Fame in 2006.

Loren served his country in the U.S. Army from July 1959 to 1961. He was in Korea for 13 months and finished at Fort Carson, Colorado Springs.

On June 9, 1962, Loren married Luane (Meggers) Lorenzen at UCC Church in Reinbeck, Iowa. They have three daughters; Ann, Sue and Lora.

Loren began his fat cattle buying career at Rath Packing in Waterloo, Iowa and continued at American Beef Packers in Oakland, Iowa. He served on the ABP Board of Directors. He bought over half a million fat cattle, computing to approx. 76,000 a year and logging about 50,000 miles a year on his four tires. He next pursued a career in banking as an Agricultural Loan Officer at Citizen’s State Bank in Oakland, Iowa. In 1977, he and his family moved to Traer as he became the Vice President Loan Officer at First Community Bank and Trust and farming ‘on the side’ raising cattle, chickens, horses, turkeys, and geese. He was also a farm manager, managed Corn Beef Feedlot, Dike, Iowa and was a Seed Sales Representative for Pioneer until his retirement in 2001. Loren served on the Tama County Condemnation Board over 30 years, and was a member of the American Legion.

He enjoyed feeding and watching birds in his uniquely built bird feeders, rough woodworking projects, grilling, and handing out buckeyes. He planted many trees on their farm where he lived over 48 years. He loved attending his daughters’ sporting events in high school through college and then his grandchildren’s events. In doing this, adding many more delightful miles to his four tires. His eight grandchildren were his delight, and then the next best thing, great grandchildren.

He enjoyed many years of adventurous camping trips with family throughout the US, and then a home at the Lake of the Ozarks for over 36 years.

Loren was a member of Zion Lutheran Church and served on their Church Council.

Loren is survived by his wife Lu, married 62 years; daughters, Ann (Charlie) Flatness, Sue (Darren) Trunck and Lora (Doug) Hefty; his grandchildren, Jacob (Chandler) Flatness, Alexandra (Shane) Connelly, Sydney (Tanner Bruncheon) Flatness, Skyler (Alyssa) Trunck, Dillan (Katrina) Trunck, Trevor Trunck, Lucas (Autumn) Hefty and Nolan Hefty; his great grandchildren, Rosalyn Flatness, Benson & Noah Connelly, Beckett & Hudson Trunck, Tezlyn & Amira Trunck; sister, June Meikle; sisters-in-law, Frances Lorenzen and Marian Lorenzen; and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were his parents; brothers, Russ Lorenzen, Donn Lorenzen, Bill (Billie Jene) Lorenzen; sister, Sandra (Lee) Seamann; parents-in-law, Albert & Helen (Billerbeck) Meggers; sisters-in-Law, Charlene (Rolly) Sharp, and Carol Meggers.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home, Tama-Toledo, is assisting the family with arrangements.