Evelyn Lorenz

Rockville, MN

November 15, 1930 – September 22, 2023

     Evelyn Lorenz of Rockville, MN, died at Assumption Nursing Home in Coldspring, MN on September 22, 2023 after 92 years of a full and adventurous life. She was born in Red Wing, MN on November 15, 1930 to Vera (Kadel) and Seybert Stapf. Evelyn grew up on a farm in Farmington, MN. She graduated from Farmington High School and then attended St. Cloud State University for one year to study biology. Evelyn married Donald Lorenz on August 27, 1949 in Farmington. In 2021, they celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary. Evelyn and Don lived in St. Cloud and then moved to the Lorenz farm in Rockville, MN. 

     Evelyn began her work as an at-home seamstress when her sons were young. She started her work in retail after her sons headed to school. Her first job was as a “finisher and liner” for Petters’ Furs. She then moved to the fabric portion of Petters and became the bridal expert. Her knowledge of fabrics and talent as a seamstress was renowned. After the closing of Petters, Evelyn worked at Fandel’s and then Herberger’s as the head of their bridal departments. Her buying trips to New York were a highlight of her years in that position. Evelyn was a quilter extraordinaire. She belonged to the St. Cloud Heritage Quilters where she demonstrated her art, showed her quilts and volunteered at the quilt shows. Many family members and friends are privileged to possess one of Evelyn’s hand stitched quilts or wall hangings. Evelyn was also a voracious reader, constantly adding to her own personal library within her home. In Evelyn’s words, “Life and death are a mystery, and I always love a good mystery!” 

Evelyn and Don loved to entertain and always welcomed family and friends to their home. In their many travels, they made numerous lifelong friends. 

     Evelyn is survived by her son Ron (Jan); granddaughter Melanie (Frank) Froehle; great granddaughters, Brooke and Danielle Froehle; daughter-in-law Mary Jo Lorenz; sister Marilyn (Allen) Hoffman; sister-in-law, Marge Hartmann, and “chosen children” Jim and Karen Meinz and their children Rachael, Peter and Susan; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Don (2022); son Larry (2022); and brothers Lester and Maynard. 

The family would like to thank the amazing, compassionate and loving staff at Assumption Community and St. Croix Hospice for Evelyn’s care. 

     A Memorial service will be held on Sunday, October 29, 2023 at 3:00 PM at First United Methodist Church in Sartell, MN. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.The service will be livestreamed on the First United Methodist Church website. Funeral arrangements were made by Benson Funeral Home, St. Cloud, MN. Evelyn gifted her body to the University of Minnesota for the advancement of medical science. A private burial will take place at a later date.