Dennis Lorenzen

Dennis Lorenzen, 76, a musician, artist, teacher, dad, and big brother, passed away at home of natural causes, the early morning of July 4, 2025.
Born February 2, 1949, in Hartley, Iowa, to Dwight K. Lorenzen and Lavonne (Salser) Lorenzen, Dennis attended the Moneta, Iowa, school through the third grade before his family moved to Blue Earth, Minnesota. Growing up in a small-town environment, Dennis had an idyllic childhood in the Royal Acres neighborhood that was filled with kids ready to play baseball, ride a bike, go to the swimming pool and hike to the forbidden Brown’s Lake. A 1967 graduate of Blue Earth High School, Dennis had the good fortune to play Center during some of the best years of BEHS football: 1964, 1965 and 1966. Dennis was also active in BEHS wrestling and golf. While in high school it became apparent that he had artistic talent and was inspired and encouraged by his art teacher Mr. Wickersham.
Dennis attended Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, graduating in 1971 with a degree in art education. After a short spree as a ski bum and waiter in Aspen Snowmass, Colorado, Dennis began a long teaching career at Plainview-Elgin-Millville High School, teaching art to over two generations of students.
Although talented at drawing and painting, his forte’ was sitting at his wheel and throwing pottery. Dennis started Greenwood Prairie Pottery in 1972, and studied with Marguerite Wildenhain at the prestigious Pond Farm, California. Dennis sold his pottery during the early years of the Minnesota Renaissance Festival and Greenwood Prairie Pottery was exhibited at several art shows.
Dennis was a self-taught bass guitar player, playing in his first band, known as the Cordovans, while still in high school. All through his college years, Dennis played with the Shelbys, and once settled in southeastern Minnesota, played with the Minnesota Blue Dawgs, the Lost Faculties, Homebrew and Five Finger Discount. As everyone knows, the bass player puts down the rhythmic foundation and groove, and although often overlooked, is the most important musician in the band (read that with humor). Dennis could handle any genre of music, but his heart was in the blues. Some of his favorite musicians were Stevie Ray Vaughn and B.B. King.
Dennis enjoyed riding his motorcycle. His first motorcycle was a bicycle frame with a Briggs & Stratton mower engine and his mom’s vacuum cleaner pipes. Dennis stepped up to a Honda 90, then a Honda 305 Dream, a Honda Shadow, a Honda VTX, moved on to a Harley-Davidson Street Bob and his final ride was a Harley-Davidson Road Glide. Along with his sister Jan, and brother-in-law Doug, Dennis made numerous trips to the annual Sturgis Rally and never grew tired of riding the Spearfish Canyon Road.
Dennis’ favorite vacation spot was Okoboji, Iowa, where he taught his boys to swim. He also loved to cruise with his sweetheart Debbie in their VW convertible, Etta, over on the Wisconsin side of the river, and patrol flea markets, garage sales and antique stores. To say that he had eclectic collections would be an understatement.
Family was especially important to Dennis. When his three sons, Wyatt, Jed and Matthew, were young they spent time together riding bicycles, canoeing, and fishing. Dennis enjoyed visiting Wyatt and Jed in Las Vegas, and although there was always something jumping in Las Vegas, like The Jennifer Keith Quintet, Dennis enjoyed relaxing poolside in Wyatt’s and Jed’s backyard. Dennis spent many hours with Matthew cruising through the rolling green hills of Whitewater State Park and other beautiful southeastern Minnesota scenes. Dennis especially enjoyed sitting on his front porch with Matthew, eating breakfast, and drinking morning coffee, and watching the variety of birds that visited the birdfeeders and his yard, everything from a red-headed woodpecker to hummingbirds. Dennis developed a keen interest in cooking and loved food prep and grilling with Matthew. Dennis became known for his scones, stews, eggs Florentine and herb seasoned mixed nuts, known as “Drink Mores.” Dennis also developed a keen interest in fishing, and although lucky enough to fish in Alaska, his favorite spot was a stream in Whitewater State Park.
Surviving are his sons Wyatt, Las Vegas, NV, Jed also of Las Vegas and Matthew, Elgin, MN, his sister Jan Lorenzen Loft Pilgrim and brother-in-law Doug Pilgrim, Marshall, MN, nephew Kelly (Kari) Loft, Marshall, MN, great-nephew Dillon Loft of Mankato, MN and great-niece Regan Loft of Marshall, his sweetheart Debbie Hinrich of Pine Island, MN, and his son’s mother, Susan Cooke Lorenzen of Jewell, Iowa. Dennis was preceded in death by his parents Dwight and LaVonne Lorenzen, and grandparents Henry and Lucie Lorenzen, and Eber and Gertrude Salser.
Dennis Lorenzen will always be remembered and will be missed forever. His family is happy to say that he had a good life and knew how to enjoy and appreciate his life. Dennis wore a patch on his motorcycle jacket that reflected his life perspective, “This ain’t no dress rehearsal.” There will be a Celebration of Life, with live music, food, and fun sometime in the Fall. There will be a notice when the specific date has been determined.
Arrangements entrusted to Schleicher Funeral Homes, Plainview Chapel, the guest register may be signed at www.schleicherfuneralhomes.com