Donn Howard Lorenz

Donn H. Lorenz, 92, of Benson, died on Monday morning, December 6, 2021, at Glacial Ridge Hospital in Glenwood. Visitation will be held on Monday, December 13, at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church in Benson from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. A private family service will be held at a later date. Zniewski Funeral Home of Benson is assisting the family with the arrangements. Per Donn’s request no flowers, instead memorials preferred to organizations that help veterans. Donn Howard Lorenz was born August 9, 1929, in Forada, MN to Herman F and Oralie (Hudson) Lorenz. In 1934 the family moved to Benson where Donn, at a young age, started working for his dad at Lorenz Machine and Supply. After graduation in 1947, Donn attended Macalaster College for one year and then graduated from Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis. He then went on to graduate from Carter Carburetor School in Missouri. In early 1950 he enlisted in the MN National Guard but later joined the U.S. Navy. He proudly served his country in the Navy from December 1950 to September 1954 as an Aviation Electrician’s Mate First Class aboard the aircraft carrier USS Valley Forge. After his return from military service, he attended St. Cloud Teacher’s College graduating in 1960. He taught Industrial Arts in Alexandria, MN, for one year then returned to Benson to work with his dad at Lorenz Machine and Supply. In 1962, they started Lorenz Manufacturing Company making grinder mixers and eventually adding snow blowers and other farm equipment. In 1985, he acquired a business in Watertown, SD. He continued running the businesses until his death. He attained the age of 92 years, 3 months, and 28 days. On April 11, 1970, he was united in marriage to Alonah Lee in Revillo, SD. Together they were blessed with more than 51 years of marriage and four children, Donna, Bill, Tina and Kara. Donn enjoyed traveling, piloting his own plane after achieving many aviation ratings, woodworking, reading, watching old Westerns, and especially spending time with his grandchildren. He was called from this life on Monday morning, December 6, 2021, at Glacial Ridge Hospital in Glenwood. He attained the age of 92 years, 3 months, and 28 days. Donn is survived by his wife Alonah, son Bill (Roxanne) Lorenz and their children, Alaina, Alec, Karl and Elise of Benson; daughter Tina (Dorn) Fischer and their children Alison, Andrea, Rachel, Megan and Katie of St. Joseph, MN; and daughter Kara Lorenz and her son Brandonn Traut of Benson; a sister Nona Seuren of Miami, FL; and a brother Lee Lorenz of Elk River, MN. He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter Donna Lorenz in 2006, and two sons John and Kurt Lorenz. Blessed be his memory.