Hillsboro - Rufus Lohrenz, 100, died December 11, 2020 at Hillsboro Community Hospital. He was born May 23, 1920 to G.W. and Maria (Penner) Lohrenz in Owasso, Oklahoma.
He married Lois Hanneman August 9, 1955 Ebenfeld Church rural Hillsboro.
Survivors include:son, Tim (Colleen) Lohrenz of Hillsboro; daughters, Gail (Lawrence) Kliewer of rural Hillsboro, Gwen Brown of Bethany, Oklahoma, Tamara (Terryl) Friesen of Arlington, Texas, Dawn (Rex) Friesen of Udall, Kansas; brother, Otto Lohrenz of Omaha, Nebraska; 19 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.
Predeceased by: wife, Lois Lohrenz in 2012; brothers, C.P. Lohrenz, Menno Lohrenz; sisters, Clara Buschman, Linda Buschman, Mary Lou Wiens; son-in-law, Bennett Brown.
Public viewing will be held Friday, December 18, 2020 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Jost Funeral Home in Hillsboro. Family will have a private Celebration of Life Service at Ebenfeld Church due to COVID-19 on Saturday, December 19, 2020 with Pastor Darren Rempel officiating. Memorials to M.B. Missions in care of Jost Funeral Home P.O. Box 266 Hillsboro, KS 67063. Online condolences at www.jostfuneralhome.com
Life Sketch Taken from the Funeral Bulletin
Rufus Philip Lohrenz was born May 23, 1920 in Collinsville Owasso Oklahoma to Reverend G.W. and Maria (Penner) Lohrenz. Rufus was the fifth child of seven total born to G.W. and Maria Lohrenz. Clara, Cornelius, Linda, Menno, and Mary Lou preceded him in death. Otto Lohrenz of Omaha Nebraska is the remaining living sibling. Rufus accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior as a youth and was baptized by Rev. G.W. Lohrenz.
On August 9th, 1955 Rufus married Lois Hanneman. The marriage was conducted by Rev. G.W. Lohrenz (his father). Rufus and Lois Rufus spent their 56 years together in rural Marion County, KS. Lois preceded him in death on February 14, 2012.
Rufus and Lois raised 5 children: Gail and husband Lawrence Kliewer of rural Hillsboro, KS, Tim and his wife Colleen of Hillsboro, KS, Gwen Brown and her late husband Bennett of Bethany, OK, Tamaramy and husband Terryl Friesen of Arlington, TX, and Dawn and husband Rex Friesen of Udall, KS. In addition, Lois and Rufus have 19 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren plus 2 great-grandchildren to be born in 2021.
At an early age, Rufus was taught to study and memorize scripture. This memorization was retained throughout his life. On his 95th birthday (2015) Rufus recited with perfect recall all 16 versus of Psalm 91 for family members in attendance that day for a celebration at Parkside Homes building 400.
Rufus was an accomplished vocalist. He served as choir and male chorus director for many years at Ebenfeld Mennonite Brethren Church and sang in quartets. Quartet members where: Rufus, Les Suderman, Lowell Hagen and Elvie Loewen. Later the members consisted of; Rufus, Les Suderman, Otto Lohrenz (and Menno Lohrenz after Otto moved from the area) and Louis Hiebert. These quartet members sang at hundreds of funerals and scores of weddings and gave programs in Wichita, western Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas. The group also sang at the groundbreaking of the Koerner Heights Mennonite Brethren Church in Newton, Kansas.
Rufus also served as Sunday school superintendent for several years at Ebenfeld Mennonite Brethren Church, and later Rufus teamed up with Lois to teach various adult Sunday School classes as well.
Rufus was a long-term and successful businessman farming in Marion county. His operation was not a large business however it was consistently profitable. He experienced many changes throughout the 6 plus decades of growing small grains and raising livestock. In his early years, draft horses were used for haying, harrow cultivating and seeding wheat. Rufus often spoke of the pleasure he had working a team of draft horses and he referred to each horse by name. Later in life, Rufus enjoyed teaching 4 of his grandsons how to operate equipment and assist him with the field work.
We fondly remember his quiet spirit, sense of humor and the joy Rufus derived from spending time with his family. Some of the most memorable times were spent with his wife and children around the supper table joking and laughing with each other. Rufus went to be with our Lord and Savior on December 11, 2020. His children, their spouses, grandchildren and his nieces and nephews will miss him greatly. We are blessed to have had Rufus involved in our lives for the many years God gave him on this earth. He often reminded us that his children were his greatest blessing. We rejoice in knowing that he is now with Jesus.