I do not recall a lot from my childhood, so there isn’t an age-old story or quirky memory to share. But the things I do remember about Uncle John are more recent, more authentic, and more impactful. 

Uncle John was quick to share a glass of wine along with unique information or lesser-known qualities to go with it. His smile and his laugh always seemed to set the tone for our family gatherings in these later years. And though the years were hard, a Lorentzen family dinner was a sure-fire way to lift your spirits and connect with your people. Uncle Johnny and Aunt Nancy facilitated most of those dinners and I will always be grateful for the abundant love and togetherness found inside their home. 

My earliest memories of Uncle Johnny are his cool Camaro and going on lots of travels and taking pictures! Then he would commission my Mom (his sister, Pat, lol)  to paint his selected picture from various trips! I remember him and Aunt Nancy getting married and how excited they were to become parents! When we moved to Texas we haven't seen our IL family as much and I do treasure the times we have been able to visit. Uncle Johnny & Aunt Nancy were always the consummate hosts for wonderful accommodations, conversations and for breaking bread! I think that I am like them in cooking and hosting! What a blessing to our family for all those great events over the years and to share time with them! I will really miss Uncle Johnny's wit, knowledge, sarcasm and being such a wine connoisseur! Precious in the eyes of the Lord are the death of His Saints. Ps. 116:15 Our deepest condolences are with your family. May sweet memories comfort y'all and the Lord sustains y'all.  Our prayers and love are with your family, Aunt Nancy, kids and grandkids. Love to all. 

Dad was the one who would swim with us in the pond, sled with us down the hill, play basketball, play long hours of monopoly and play lots of cards as we got older!  I loved his smile and he gave great hugs.  I loved hearing him laugh and to see his joy.  I will miss drinking wine with him and wish I could have played golf with him.  I think the thing that made him the happiest was his grandkids and I feel grateful he was able to meet both Emmett and Charlie.  Even though he didn't see them much, I know he loved them beyond words.  It is hard to believe I won't get to see him smile at us again.   I will miss him and love him so much. 

I will never forget the first dinner I had with John and Nancy, and, at the time, boyfriend, Andy. I was so nervous meeting Andy's parents for the first time one on one. All John wanted to talk about was golf and wine, 2 things I know basically nothing about! But I smiled and asked lots of questions he was happy to answer. On the way home Andy looked at me and said, "Wow! Dad must really like you! He TALKED!" LOL John and Nancy both were so wonderful welcoming into the family with open arms. And I am so grateful for the wonderful father in law I was so blessed to have in John. From helping us remodel the house to watching the kids for us and so many acts of love and kindness in between. John was a wonderful man, excellent father and very loved papa. The only time I ever saw John cry was when we were able to tell he was going to be a grandpa for the first time on Father's Day! We were so thrilled to be able to honor John in the naming of our son, Kent Paul. Our world will not be the same without John in it. We love and miss you. 

I know John Paul aka Johnny aka JP as a kind, generous, caring, funny and loving man.  He cared about everyone in the family and he  smiled a lot when he talked about the kids, the grandkids and the good times the family had together.  We talked often and always said “love you” and gave kisses before we hung up. I even got the chance to tell him how much he meant to me before he got very sick.  
I love you and will miss you deeply JP. 


Playing Monopoly and with lego houses, sledding down the hill,  swimming at the lake, baseball and golf in the front yard,  so many happy childhood memories. Now, I'll miss wine trips exploring all the wine regions in the state. I love you Dad. 

I have so many wonderful memories of Johnny,  starting early on when we were living in the Gompers Apartments with mom while dad was off at war, we had this gang of kids and we did a lot of things that people probably would call crazy today, but I always felt safe because he was there with me, but this past year with getting to do the video chats and having time to really talk and share with each other about our lives, our children and grandchildren and how much we loved each other was truly special for me; he has always been a very special part of my life, and always will be!

I didn't know the baby, John Paul Lorentzen, or Johnny the little boy. I wasn't even born before he grew to be a teenager. By the time I knew Johnny he was a man, no longer living in the family home. 
My first memories of Johnny are of his generosity. He is a major player in two of my few memories from childhood. Each of those memories includes mom and dad crying and hugging Johnny in appreciation for an amazing present. 
For a long time, I thought of Johnny as my big brother who bought my mom and dad a car. The station wagon he purchased was the vehicle the rest of us kids would climb into to go to church or the store. Because of his kindness, the family members that still lived at home could all fit in one car. 
He was also the brother who, along with his wonderful wife Nancy, opened their home to our uncommonly large family at Christmas. For thirty years, Christmas Eve at Johnny and Nancy’s was our main, sometimes only, family gathering. No one else in the area had a home large enough for such gatherings. Because of Johnny and Nancy we were able to celebrate together. 
I've never thought of it this way before, but it is now obvious to me that Johnny made our togetherness possible. I'm not sure whether it was a conscious decision, but it must have been important to him if he was willing to sacrifice his family's finances and personal comfort to make it happen. 
Because I was the baby of the family and Johnny was the eldest, my siblings have many more memories of Johnny. Even without those extra memories, I’m aware of a lot of reasons to honor his life. But I think this might be my favorite. What a gift he gave us.

Love you uncle Johnny! Thank you for teaching me to play chess, taking me golfing so many times, all the wonderful Christmases and most of all for marrying Nancy who is one of my favorite people! Bless your family during this time. Life is a circle and while yours seems to have been completed, it really goes on for infinity through your beautiful children and grandchildren! Lastly, I still remember that wiffleball walk off grand slam you hit off me on my birthday like it was yesterday.  Your big grin as you ran around the bases is how I’ll always remember you!

My earliest memories of my cousin John are around the time this photo was taken of him enjoying his science lab. I think it was a Christmas present. He was 12 or 13 at the time.  Because he was six years older than me, his world was always more advanced than mine. He came home from basic training in the Navy when I had finished seventh grade. I remember the celebratory dinner at his mom and dad's house before he left for White Sands. After that, we rarely connected. But John and my dad were golfing afficianados. I think they played golf some times and I know they talked golf a lot. My dad also marveled at John building his house, the first house, in Marine because the basement had very high ceilings. And I agree with what others have said - he had a very infectious laugh and a great smile.

OBITUARIO

John Paul Lorentzen

Falleció en 2 MARZO, 2022

Lake View Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens

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