Isadore "Nibs" Lorentz

The Mass of Christian Burial for Isadore "Nibs" Lorentz, of Wadena, will be held at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, June 1, 2016, at St. John The Baptist Catholic Church in Bluffton with Fr. Aaron Kuhn as celebrant. Friends may call at the St. Ann's Parish Hall in Wadena on Tuesday from 5:00 until 8:00 PM. There will be Parish Prayers at 6:00 PM and Rosary service at 7:00 PM on Tuesday night. Visitation will continue on Wednesday at the church in Bluffton from 9:00 am until the time of mass. Nibs passed away at the age of 83 years on Saturday, May 28, 2016 at the Veteran's Home in Fergus Falls. Isadore Aloysius "Nibs" Lorentz was born on March 3, 1933 in Wadena, MN to Joseph P. and Ann (Hopp) Lorentz. He graduated as a member of the class of '51 from Wadena High School. After graduation, he worked on the family farm until April 14, 1954, when he entered the US Army. He was honorably discharged on April 13, 1956, and returned to Wadena where he began working for Keppers and Kern. Nibs was united in marriage with Bernice Evelyn Ellingworth on February 4, 1957 at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Wadena. In 1978, he left Keppers and Kern and opened Nibs' Welding and Repair, retiring in 1994. He was a member of St. Ann's Catholic Church, St. Joseph Society, Knights of Columbus, and the Wadena Elks Lodge. Nibs was a story teller and he loved to share jokes and poetry with whomever was near. He enjoyed classic country music and western films. He and Bernice enjoyed dancing so much that they became waltz and polka instructors. He loved his country and wore his patriotism with pride. More than anything else, he loved his family and enjoyed the time spent fishing and playing cards at the cabin on Big Pine Lake. A special thank you goes to those who cared for and loved him while residing at Fair Oaks Lodge - Wadena and to the doctors, nurses and staff of the MN Veterans Home - Fergus Falls for the wonderful care given to Nibs and for making it possible for him to be with his family and make new friends over the last year and a half. Nibs was preceded in death by his loving wife of over 57 years, Bernice, on March 4, 2014; parents Joseph and Ann; brothers Mike, Benny, Jerome, Ralph, and Mark; sisters Leona Hallauer, Phyllis Winger, Joanne Lorentz, Isabelle Kresky and Irene Johnson; and daughter-in-law Yvonne. He is survived by his sons Gary of Duluth, Kevin (Ginger) of Brainerd, Jeff (Barb) of Wadena, Bill (Jessica) of Watkins, and Kelly of Sauk Rapids; daughters Terri (Pat) Czech of St. Stephen, Tammy Ness of Sauk Rapids, and Kim (Steve) Schmitz of Wadena; 18 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren; brother Frank (Leona) of Bluffton; sisters Janet (Ronald) Wright of Bluffton and Ruthann Theriault of Texas; and many nieces and nephews. Honorary pallbearers are Nibs' granddaughters. Pallbearers are his grandsons Isaac Lorentz, Brandon Lorentz, McKay Ness, Alexander Lorentz, Finn Lorentz, Brandon Theisen, Sean Blaisdell, Justin Wippler, and Brian Dahl. Military Honors are provided by the Elmer Goche, VFW Post 3922 Honor Guard of Wadena. Burial is in the Leaf River Cemetery in Wadena.

Isadore "Nibs" Lorentz

March 3, 1933 - May 28, 2016