John Edwin Lavrenz

Funeral Service for John E. Lavrenz will be at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, March 11, 2015 at Trinity Lutheran Church with burial to follow at Mt. Pisgah Cemetery. Visitation will be 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday March 10, 2015 at Walker Funeral Home. John E. Lavrenz, age 58, of Gillette passed away Friday March 6, 2015 at Close to Home Hospice.John Lavrenz was born in Algona, Iowa on July 6, 1956 to Raymond and Velma Lavrenz. He was the second of 7 children and felt very fortunate throughout his life to be a part of such a large and loving family. He moved several times throughout his childhood, spending time in Burt, Iowa; Stratford, Iowa; and Hubbard, Iowa where he graduated from high school in 1974. But the majority of John's life was spent in Gillette, WY where he resided for the past 35 years. It is here that he grew to call "home."John began working for AMAX Coal (Alpha Coal West) in the late 70's, retiring from there 34 years later in March of 2013. Not being one to sit around doing nothing, he began working for Peregrine Leadership Institute and Peregrine Academic Services one day later and continued working there until his time of passing. He loved the many new challenges and opportunities this new career offered him and was in awe of the level of customer service this company provided to clients both local and world-wide.While John oftentimes forgot what day of the month it was, there are two dates that remained steadfast in his heart forever. The first was his birth date when he opened his eyes for the first time and realized that the Good Lord had looked down upon him with favor and gave him the two most wonderful parents any child could ask for. The second was October 14, 1989 when God once again demonstrated His unending love by uniting John in Holy Matrimony with the most beloved person he has to this day ever known, his wife Lee. As he looked into her loving eyes on that glorious day and professed his love for her, it was then that he truly knew happiness for the first time and especially in knowing that this beautiful, loving person was who he'd be spending eternity with. But that day imprinted on John's heart was made even more special as John married not only his beloved wife, but the family that he had hoped and dreamed of for so many years. On that special day he came to know Gail and Sarah Edwards as his son and daughter and that changed his life forever as well. If hearts grew according to the amount of love and pride a person has for their family, John's would have filled an auditorium. He truly loved his new family and that love would only grow stronger as his family grew larger through time with the addition of a son-in-law Ryan, a daughter-in-law Leslie, and 6 of the most beautiful grandchildren he could have ever dreamed of; granddaughters Shelby, Micah, and Anabela, and grandsons Jackson, Elias, and Severin. While John was presented with many opportunities and gifts throughout his life, the one he most cherished was his love for God which he learned at an early age. John was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, and remained a member of the LCMS for the remainder of his life. He served in various capacities with the church, including Treasurer, Elder, and Congregational Vice-President. John's strength and comfort throughout his battle with cancer, and words he often-times reminded those around him with were, "Don't tell God how big your storm is; Tell your storm how big your God is." John never felt more at peace than when he was in church, and he used to love to torment his pastor over and over again by asking, "Everyone knows that wherever you find four good Lutherans there's always a fifth"so why can't we drink at voters meetings again?John is survived by his wife Lee, son Gail (Leslie) and children, Elias, Micah, and Severin of Big Lake, Alaska; daughter Sarah (Ryan) and children Shelby and Jackson of Gillette; brother Mark and family, sister Ruth, brother Tim (Cindy); brother Tom (Julie) and family, sister Elizabeth (James) and family; sister Deb and family; Father-in Law Jerry, brothers and sisters in law Bill/Lynn McDonald and Dave/Vee Bleizeffer, numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews, and the wonderful medical family at the oncology center at CCMH whom he grew to know and love as his second family. He was preceded in death by his parents Ray and Velma, and mother-in-law Iona. A memorial has been established to benefit the Healthcare Foundation for the purchase of a PET Scan Machine or for Close to Home Hospice. Memorials and Condolences may be sent to the family in care of Walker Funeral Home 410 Medical Arts Court Gillette, WY 82716 or via the web at www.walkerfuneralgillette.com Funeral Home:Walker Funeral Home410 Medical Arts CourtGillette, WYUS 82716