Vernon Paul Lohrentz, 87, passed peacefully on October 13, 2018 at his home in North Newton, Kansas. He was born February 14, 1931 at the home of his parents, P.R. and Emma (Ortman) Lohrentz. He grew up on the family farm on Dutch Avenue in rural Moundridge along with 4 siblings.
Vernon was baptized during high school at Hebron Mennonite Church in rural Buhler, Kansas. He went to Berlin and Liberty country schools and Moundridge High School. Vernon graduated from Fort Wayne Bible College, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Bethel College, Newton, Kansas, and AMBS at Elkhart, Indiana. Vernon met Luella Mae Wiens from Inman, Kansas  at Camp Mennoscah. Vernon and Luella married on June 1, 1953.
Vernon served as pastor at Mennonite churches in Greensburg, Kansas, Ransom, Kansas, Hydro, Oklahoma, Broomfield, Montana, Freeman, South Dakota, and Whitewater, Kansas. Later, Vernon and Luella were active participants at Jubilee Mennonite House Church and members of Shalom Mennonite Church. Vernon and Luella were actively involved as leaders in Mennonite Marriage Encounter as a pastoral team couple.
Vernon loved the outdoors and gardening. He also was an adept hiker, climbing some of Colorado's 14,000 foot peaks. He had a deep concern for social justice, emerging himself in civil rights and Native American issues and twice traveling to El Salvador. He was an avid reader, and loved history. Vernon spent many hours exploring and researching the Santa Fe Trail and was a past president of the Kansas Santa Fe Trail Association.
Survivors include 5 children, Paul (Pam) Lohrentz, Jean Lohrentz, David (Megumi) Lohrentz, Tim Lohrentz (Rachel Russell), Susan Lohrentz (Carl Lind); siblings, Ellen Voran, Howard Lohrentz (Katherine), Joan Ewert, Ken Lohrentz; grandchildren, Megan Kluesner (Nate), Kylie Lohrentz, Jon-Paul (JP) Lohrentz, Lyssa Newport (Eric), Crystal Hicks (Jeffrey), Whitney Bandel (Dustin Franz), Dylan Bandel, Anika Lohrentz, Emmi Lohrentz, Ben Lohrentz, Quincy Russell, Saige Lind; great grandchildren, Kaylee, Caden, Kingston Kluesner, Molly Newport. He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, brother in law, Stan Voran, sister in law, Evelyn Lohrentz, brother in law, Milt Ewert, sister in law, Lola Lohrentz.
A celebration of life will be at Shalom Mennonite Church, Newton, Kansas on Saturday, October 20, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. The family requests memorials be made to Camp Mennoscah in lieu of flowers and left in care of the Shalom Mennonite Church.