For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;”
Ecclesiastes 3:1-2
Clarence was happiest when he was busy farming. In fact, farming was both a vocation and hobby for Clarence. He loved everything agriculture, especially if it involved a Massey Ferguson!
Clarence William Lorenz was born July 10, 1924 to William and Edith (Pegelo) Lorenz in Brant Township and was the only boy, and second youngest, of four – Hilda, Elva, and Marion. He attended Vesta Public School and would often cut across the fields to reduce the distance to and from school. On occasion the trip home included a quick stop at Norman Frook’s for a game of cards. Clarence soon began to help at home on the farm and as a young man would often work like heck at home in order to have enough time to go over and help some of his neighbours for a wage of $0.50 a day. In his twenties, Clarence worked for the Weppler Brothers building and renovating homes and businesses including the former Gay Lea Plant in Tara. It was here that he was introduced to electrical work, carpentry, plumbing and all skills needed in building and construction.
In the mid 1950’s Clarence gave rides to, St. John’s Lutheran Church in Elmwood for Luther League and Choir, his companion a young neighbour girl Marlene Musehl. In 1959 they were engaged and Clarence began to prepare a home for his bride to be. This required extensive renovations to a home with no plumbing or hydro. He added an addition of a garage and kitchen and completely renovated the rest of the house. Marlene felt very fortunate to be moving into a nearly new house. On June 11, 1960 Marlene, a young school teacher, and Clarence were married. Their first home was on the 12th of Brant where Clarence not only began farming, but also ran a bulldozer and other construction equipment for Edgar Weppler. They had a cow/calf operation, pigs and 200 acres of land. Their little family grew as Jeff was born in 1962, Doug in 1964 and little Janice in 1969.
Clarence faced a number of challenges throughout his life. Farming, of course, was always a challenge, especially after his accident in 1969 were he fell off the combine and spent several months recovering. Clarence’s brother-in-law Art Weppler was a great influence during times like these as he often acted as a big brother. They regularly took turns helping each other with their farming endeavours. At one point in his farming career, Clarence handled 25,000 bales of hay and 8,000 bales of straw in just one year, mostly by himself. Finally after decades of hard physical labour, and at the age of fifty, Clarence sold two of his farms to the Van Sickle’s and cashed cropped his remaining acres. Marlene and Clarence built a new home on a remaining hundred acres. Son Doug decided to follow in his father’s footsteps so Clarence’s semi-retirement was short lived. He enjoyed helping Doug for many years and always perked up when Doug had a tractor job for him as recently as this past summer.
Clarence was a man of few words, yet straightforward. If something needed to be said, Clarence would tell you. He was a quiet perfectionist, just ask his son-in-law Michael, who often helped Clarence stake the driveway just right for the winter months. If Clarence did converse, there was a good chance that it would include farming. He showed his emotions with actions, not words and as for advice from Clarence, “If you are going to do it, do it right or don’t do it at all.”
Vehicles, especially his Massey Ferguson tractors and machinery as well as his GMC and Chevy vehicles over the years, were items of pride for Clarence. He took really good care of them. Almost as much as he took pride in his appearance. Trips to Alberta to see Jeff and family and a couple vacations in Florida were adventures of importance as was their trailer in Port Elgin, during the kid’s youth. Spending time with family and friends, going to Elmwood for dances and enjoying house parties were all meaningful activities for Clarence.
Finally, faith was very important to Clarence as was his church and volunteer work. He served on St. John’s church council and numerous committees over the years. It has been just the last five to six weeks that Clarence was not able to attend worship services. Watching church on TV was second best. Fortunately, one of Clarence’s final wishes were granted when he was able to partake in Holy Communion just days before he died.
Clarence passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Friday, January 15, 2016 in his 92nd year.
Beloved husband and best friend of Marlene (Musehl). Loving father of Jeff (Corry), Doug (Susan) and Janice (Michael) Hartman. Cherished grandfather of Melissa (Josh) Spencer, Nicole (Jeff) Lembke, Aaron and Amy Lorenz and great-grandfather of Kaleb Lembke. Clarence will be missed by his sister Marion Golem and sisters-in-law Joan Erwin and Elaine (Clark) Francis and their families. Clarence was predeceased by his grandchildren Brent and Rebecca, sisters Hilda (Arthur) Weppler, Elva (Clarence) Weirmier, brothers-in-law Wilfred Golem and Bob Erwin and his parents, William and Edith (Pegelo) Lorenz.
Visitation will be held at Rhody Family Funeral Home, Chesley on Wednesday from 2 – 4 and 7 – 9 p.m. A funeral service celebrating Clarence’s life will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Elmwood on Thursday, January 21, 2016 at 11 a.m. Spring interment in St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery, Elmwood.
Memorial donations to the Canadian Cancer Society or St. John’s Lutheran Church would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
