Raymond R. “Ray” Lohrentz, 91, of Inman, Kansas, passed away Thursday, August 28, 2025 at the Hospice House of Reno County in Hutchinson. He was born on August 22, 1934 in Newton, Kansas to P.M. and Lizzie (Dick) Lohrentz.
He graduated from Buhler High School with the class of 1952.
Ray served 1-W service in Ann Arbor, Michigan where he met Carolyn Iler. They married on November 3, 1956 in Ann Arbor and three daughters were born from this union. They shared 39 years of marriage before Carolyn passed on April 23, 1996. Ray later married Viola Peters.
He was a longtime member of the Bethel Mennonite Church in Inman. Ray was also a member of the Teamsters Local #795, and in his younger years was a member of the Inman Car Club.
Ray worked as a truck driver for most of his life, working for APCO Petroleum, and later for Dillons in 1970. He retired in 1998, having logged over three million miles throughout his driving career.
In his lifetime, Ray transformed homes into works of art. He remodeled the family’s original home and designed and built a home in Inman and Hillsboro, leaving a lasting legacy on every place he lived. His talent extended beyond construction to beautifully crafted landscapes that reflected his meticulous care and vision. He also had a passion for antique cars, dedicating countless hours to restoring them. Ray customized his personal vehicles, making each one a unique reflection of his personal style. He will be remembered not only for his craftsmanship and love of cars, but for the care and dedication he put into creating spaces and projects that truly felt like home.
Ray is survived by his daughters, Eileen (Scott) Sanchez of Inman, Denise (Ronnie) Nelson of Lindsborg, and Joyce (David) Tait of Yoder; seven grandchildren, Cara (Chris) Mercier, Emily (Todd) Schonhoff, Kate Sanchez, Jordan Smith, Lauren (Travis) Creamer, Hannah (Nathan) Beam and Abigail (Isaac) Hubbell; four great-grandchildren, Bryson Nixon, Malachi Beam, Rylee Creamer, and Harper Mercier; and brother, Milford (Jo) Lohrentz of Buhler.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Carolyn Lohrentz; sisters, Elfrieda Schmidt and Fern Regehr; and sister-in-law, Janet (Iler) Simonson.
Graveside services will be held at 9:45 a.m., Tuesday, September 2, 2025 at Hebron Cemetery, rural Buhler. Memorial services will follow at 11 a.m., Tuesday at Bethel Mennonite Church, rural Inman. Family will greet friends from 5 to7 p.m., Monday, September 1, at Buhler Mortuary. Memorial contributions may be made to Bethel Mennonite Church or Hospice House of Reno County in care of Buhler Mortuary, PO Box 589, Buhler, KS 67522.