Lorenz Rusert

LORENZ CARL RUSERT

Lorenz Carl Rusert, of Winona, died at the age of 98, while living in his favorite home in Zapata, Texas.  He died on Tuesday, September 12, 2017, doing what he liked to do best – working in his yard.

He was born on June 10, 1919, in Rock Dell Township in Olmsted County, Minnesota, to William and Laura (Griebenow) Rusert.  He was one of eleven children, and was baptized on June 19, 1919, at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church – Silo, in rural Lewiston.  He attended grade school at Silo which was taught in German in the morning, and he graduated from the Lewiston High School in 1938.

Lorenz married Margaret Born on December 30, 1941, right after the attack on Pearl Harbor.  They lived in Canton, Ohio, for the first years of their marriage, where they had two sons: Roger in 1942, and Jerry in 1945.

During the war, Lorenz worked at a Hercules plant as an engine tester seven days a week, and enjoyed one day off a month!  In 1949, Lorenz and Margaret moved back to Minnesota where they found a house in Lewiston, and Lorenz immediately found a job as an automotive machinist at Winona Bearing and Machine Shop.  While in Lewiston, they attended St John's Evangelical Lutheran Church.  In 1953, the owner of the shop where he had been working moved to Arizona for his health, and Lorenz and Margaret were able to purchase the business because he was liked by the owner.  They moved to Winona to an apartment above the business, and joined St. Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Winona.  The Winona Bearing and Machine Shop flourished through his hard labor and can-do attitude.  In the mid-1980s, Lorenz and Margaret began to enjoy Zapata, Texas, as a winter retreat, which they considered paradise.

As a member of St. Matthew’s, Lorenz served on the church council for many years, and also with its school board.  While in Zapata, Lorenz served on the Siesta Shores Association Board.

Lorenz is survived by his sons, Roger (Judy I.) Rusert, Midland, TX; and Jerry (Judy D.) Rusert, Winona, MN; 9 grandchildren and their spouses; 21 great-grandchildren; brother: Daryl Rusert, Lewiston, MN; sister: Lorna (Oliver) Clemenson, Crookston, MN; as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his “angel” wife, Margaret, on February 5, 2011; parents; brothers, Edgar, Oswald, Lyle, and Elgar; infant brothers, Hubert, Harold and Werner; and sister, Erna Kraft.

Visitation will be held from 1:30 PM until the funeral service at 3 PM on Sunday, September 24, 2017, at St. Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 766 West Wabasha Street, Winona.  The Reverend Matthew Schoell will officiate.

Lorenz will be laid to rest in Woodlawn Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be: Michael, Daniel, Timothy, and Brett Rusert; Randy Hanson, Benjamin Bain, and Shannon Bohme.  The honorary pallbearer will be Michael Poston.

Memorials may be directed to St. Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, but the best memorial would be for all to faithfully attend their worship services.

A saying of Lorenz was, “I have lived in the most exciting period of history since I plowed fields with a mule when I was young, and now we have sent men to the moon.  No other time has seen so much change.”  He was also known to say many times, “It’s been the best life in history…it’s just what I wanted.”

Online condolences or memories may be left for Lorenz’s family at www.watkowski- mulyck.com.

Watkowski-Mulyck Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.