Edward H. Lorenzen, 86, died Wednesday, Oct. 20, 1999 at the Nebraska Masonic Home in Plattsmouth.

Edward Lorenzen was born May 21, 1913, to Henry H. and Ann (VonLanken) Lorenzen. His father was a farmer and his mother was a daughter of George VonLanken who owned the Racket Store, a dry goods store in Blair. As a young man, Edward worked at the VonLanken's store as a clerk. He attended Long Creek School District 8. He played basketball and was active in 4-H at Fort Calhoun High School, which he graduated from in 1928.

On Oct. 29, 1937, he married Olga "Dolly" Steyer, whom he had met at a barn dance on the Lars Jasperson farm. The couple first rented, then purchased the Lorenzen Farm. In 1976, they purchased the original John Lorenzen farm from Lester, Walter and Edith Stanley and built a new home there.

Edward and Dolly Lorenzen were pioneers in soil conservation. They were honored by Ak-Sar-Ben for more than 100 years of family farm ownership.

Edward Lorenzen was a member of the Long Creek School Board, the Fort Calhoun Presbyterian Church, and was a church delegate from the Omaha area, attending the 1949 National Presbyterian General Assembly in New York.

He was an active member of the Masonic Lodge, and received a 50 year membership award from Solomon Lodge #10 of Fort Calhoun. He was also a 50 year member of the York Rite Masonic Bodies in Blair. He was also a member of Tangier Shrine Temple, Mo-Ri Shrine Club, and Naomi Chapter #121 Order of the Eastern Star in which he served for several years as the Worthy Patron. He was a long-term board member of the Mason Eastern Star Home for Children in Fremont.

He was one of the original founders and incorporators of the Washco Feed Mill. He was a past president of the Washington County Historical Association, and co-chairman of the committee that organized and published "A History of Washington County" in 1980.

He was also past president of the South Omaha Production Credit Association, the Fort Calhoun Rural Fire Protection District and Farmers Mutual Insurance Company of Washington County. The couple were also active in the Grange, and were honored by the State Grange for their community service. They also were regular attendees at area square dances.

He is survived by three sons and daughters-in-law, John E. "Jack" and Joann Lorenzen of Lincoln; Philip A. and Marilyn Lorenzen of Omaha; and Carl A. and Diane Lorenzen of Blair; a daughter and son-in-law, Lois and Paul Olson of Lakeville, Minn.; 13 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife Dolly, his parents, by his brother Arno Lorenzen; and by an infant sister.

Find A Grave Memorial# 18175975