Alan Lorenzen

Funeral Services for Alan Lorenzen, age 80, of Manilla, will be at 10:00 AM on Saturday, April 28, 2018, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Manilla with burial at the Manning Cemetery in Manning. Visitation will be from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Friday, April 27, 2018 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Manilla. Visitation will continue after 9:00 AM on Saturday at the church.  

Alan Dean, son of John and Milda (Schnoor) Lorenzen, was born May 28, 1937, in Manilla, Iowa. Alan attended country school south of Manilla and then at Aspinwall when his family moved during elementary school. He graduated from Manning High School in 1955. Alan then operated a garage in Aspinwall.

From 1956 to 1958, Alan enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and attained the rank of Corporal. He was stationed at San Diego and Twenty-nine Palms, California where he served as mechanic and driver in the motor pool. Upon receiving his honorable discharge, Alan returned to Aspinwall and drove the fuel truck for the Aspinwall Coop.

On June 26, 1960, Alan was united in marriage with Bonnie Brus at Trinity Lutheran Church in Manilla. Three children were born to this couple. They first made their home north of Aspinwall until 1962 when they moved to the present family farm on Highway 141. In 2003 Alan and Bonnie retired from farming. Alan then enjoyed working at the coop and M&M Golf Course, and also making his presence known on the farm. In 2013 they built a new home and moved into Manilla.

Alan was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and, throughout the years, was an active member of Aspinwall Coop Board, Crawford County Pork Producers, FHA Board, Crawford County Zoning Board and the Aspinwall Community Club. Alan, first and foremost, enjoyed being a farmer. "Cocklebur" enjoyed visiting with friends over coffee, driving his golf cart, taking his dog Rascal for rides around town, and being around his grandchildren. He also enjoyed playing cards, camping, fishing, traveling, going to the casino, and negotiating a good deal. Alan could make a friend anywhere and start a conversation with anyone. He loved telling jokes and watching Westerns. Alan had a love for country music and played accordion. Alan had been in declining health for a number of years.

On Easter of 2015 Alan received a kidney transplant. His devoted wife cared for him and assisted him so he could stay in his home as long as possible. In March of 2018 he entered the Denison Care Center in Denison, Iowa, where he passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Monday, April 23, 2018. He was 80 years of age.

Alan is survived by his wife of 57 years, Bonnie Lorenzen of Manilla; three children: Dawn Lorenzen (Amy Osborne) of Manning; Michael (Bricy) Lorenzen of Manilla; Debra (Brian) Birks of Manilla; seven grandchildren: Jan King of Waverly; Veronica King of Manilla; Zachary Lorenzen of Manilla; LeAnn (Mitchell) Hacker of San Diego, California; and Sarah, Nicholas and Christian Birks of Manilla; sisters-in-law Wava Lorenzen of Manning and Beverly (Ken) Graves of Jefferson; and by numerous other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Donald, in infancy, and Jack Lorenzen; and mother and father-in-law Carl and Marie Brus.