Howard Roy Lohrentz was born May 21, 1935, in Moundridge, son of Peter and Emma Lohrentz.
Growing up on the family farm he was the third of five children. Howard attended Moundridge schools graduating in 1953 and then attended Wichita State University. Baptized in 1951, he became a member of Hebron Mennonite Church in Buhler, KS. He transferred membership to Bethel College Mennonite Church in North Newton, in 1964. Howard was very active in the church throughout his life.
Howard’s first car was a 1951 Ford which he reminisced he and his brother, Vernon, had a lot of fun with. He often talked about the good times he had with his siblings on the farm despite it being such difficult economic times.
From 1954-1956 Howard worked in Alternative Service stationed in Denver, CO. There he ran the mimeograph machine and performed maintenance at Denver General hospital at the end of the Cold War.
In 1957 he started dating Evelyn Franz whom he was aquatinted with through the Hebron Church. On June 4th, 1960, Howard married Evelyn Jane Franz at Hebron Mennonite Church. They built their house in Hesston in 1964 and made it a home for 50 years.
Howard worked for 30 years at Hesston Corporation advancing to senior product engineer. He appeared in an advertising video operating a Windrower filmed in South Texas. His work with the corp took him to 28 states, 4 provinces of Canada, and Mexico. He finished his professional career at Bossert as a sales engineer.
Howard enjoyed looking for tools at auctions, camping, woodworking, building the kids a playhouse that was an attraction of the neighborhood, photography, sports, cards, and spending time with family and friends. Howard always remained interested in farming, tools and machinery. He had a passion for genealogy and ancestry, sharing the story of his family history and their place in anabaptist history.
Janelle has fond memories of the involvement they had together in Audubon Society, Rocket Club and Astronomy Club in Middle School. In her adult years she loved seeing him play with all the grandchildren and his great granddaughter who affectionately referred to him as “Papa Howie”.
Greg has fond memories of Howard being an avid fan of all of Greg’s sports. He and wife, Evelyn, would not miss a game. In later years Howard was always interested on the buildings Greg is involved with at Kansas State University, no detail in construction being too small.
Friends were always paramount for Howard and Evelyn. Cards, specifically Spades, were an evening to look forward to for the game and fellowship. Attending home and out of town sports events with friends was time well spent.
On January 15, 2022 Howard was taken to his Heavenly resting place. He is preceded in death by his wife Evelyn, sister Ellen Voran and brother Vernon Lohrentz. Those who survive and cherish him in their hearts are: Children, Janelle (Denis) Levitt of Tucson, Greg (Jane) Lohrentz of Manhattan; Grandchildren: Matthew, Melanie, Alexa Kate and Amanda; Great grandchild Charlotte; Brother: Ken Lohrentz of Lawrence; Sister: Joann Ewert of Modesto, CA.
Due to current COVID restrictions we will be having Memorial Services at the Dyck Arboretum, Hesston, at 12:00 p.m., Saturday, January 22, in lieu of the church. There will be a private family inurnment at the Bethel College Mennonite Church Columbarium.