Robert Erling Lorentzen

Obituary of Robert Erling Lorentzen
Robert, 'Bob' Lorentzen, 91, of White Bear Lake, MN, died on Thursday, February 20, 2025 at Tucson Assisted Living Retreat, Arizona, after a brief illness while living in memory care there since August, 2024. Internment and family memorial will be held this Spring (TBD), at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN.
He was born May 25, 1933, in St Paul, MN in Ramsey County, to Bjerne Lorentzen and Bertha (Runman) Lorentzen. 'Bert' and 'Barney' raised Bob and his five (5) siblings there in White Bear Lake, graduating from White Bear Lake High School in 1951. He served in the Navy at a base near Memphis TN until 1953, then graduated college from Mankato State University, MN, in 1957.
Bob married Karen Yvonne (Mauseth) on August 15, 1958, at Associated Church in Owatonna, MN. His passion for coaching & teaching lead him to work as an Phys Ed/Industrial Arts teacher and High School Coach, first at Walnut Grove HS in MN, also its Basketball Coach, followed by a period at Luverne HS (MN). He was Asst Basketball Coach there, winning the state tournament (1964). He started a family and moved to the Twin Cities area in 1966, and taught & coached at EJ Cooper Senior High School, New Hope, MN until his retirement in 1991. He was active as a Graphic Arts (printing & photography) teacher and Coach there, Football & Basketball, for over 25 years.
Family was a big part of Bob's life, raising two children with Karen, and coaching them on various teams and sports through high school. He loved camping in and around MN as well as out of state trips with his family. He and Karen built and acquired second 'lake' homes in both WI & MN, retiring with her at Lake Ada, MN until her death in 1993.
Besides 'going up to the lake', Bob enjoyed visiting family, fishing & canoeing, and was a fan of Minnesota sports (Vikings, Twins, Gophers and Timberwolves), throughout his life.
Bob is survived by his son, James (Rachele) Lorentzen, Tucson AZ and daughter Susan (Hanson), son-in-law Robert Browning, Jackson TN; brother Ted Lorentzen (Mary), Willmar MN; grandchildren, Jake (Mary Catherine) Hanson, Joe (Brittanie) Hanson, Paige (Calvin) Martin, Brooke Lorentzen; and great-grandchild Woods (Martin).
He was preceded in death by his wife, Karen Lorentzen (1993); parents, Bjerne & Bertha Lorentzen; sisters, Shirley (Weber) (2022), JoAnne (Van Reyper) (2016), and Elizabeth (Kleven) (2025); brother Alan (2021), and Grandson Brent Hanson (2015).
Memorials are preferred to the American Cancer Society.