Palmer Lorenson, 88, died Thursday, May 29, 2008 at MeritCare Northwest Hospital, Thief River Falls, MN.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 AM, Monday, June 2, 2008 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN with Rev. Gary Johnson officiating. Burial will follow in the Greenwood Cemetery, Thief River Falls, MN.

Palmer Leonard Lorenson was born on July 22, 1919 to Ludvig and Martha (Holth) Lorenson in Whitman, ND. He was baptized in Whitman, ND and confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Middle River, MN. He graduated from high school there in 1937. He took an industrial arts course at Dunwood Institute in Minneapolis and took a job in Middle River for Schenkey Construction. He enlisted in the Air Force in May of 1941, took basic training at Chanute Air Force Base near Chicago and took the airplane mechanics course. He was honorably discharged in October of 1945 after serving overseas in Corsica, Italy. Palmer was united in marriage to Marion Borghild Green, January 13, 1944 at home in Thief River Falls where the couple have continued to make their home. Following his discharge, he returned to Thief River Falls and was employed by Nordby Construction as a carpenter. In 1948 he went to work for the Soo Line Railroad as an engineer. He retired after 30 years on the rails. He spent winters in Tucson, AZ for 11 years.

Palmer was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Thief River Falls, and the Golden Pioneers.

Palmer is survived by two daughters, Sandra Carter, Plymouth, MN and Claudia (Roland Pickard) Lorenson, Cotopaxi, CO; four grandchildren, Melissa (Egan) Haugesag, Minneapolis, MN, Nicolas (Jennifer) and Frank Pasquale, Alamosa, CO, and Dominic Pasquale, Colorado Springs, CO; great granddaughters, Ella Haugesag, Juliannah Pasquale and twins Elicia & Gabriella Pasquale; one sister Leone (Harold) Wacksmuth, Kalispell, MT, and many nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by his wife Marion in 2004, parents; one sister Evelyn Walberg, nephew LeRoy Walberg.

ORGANIST: Ida Nordvall
SOLOIST: Diane Johnson
SELECTIONS: Softly and Tenderly, Here I Am Lord
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: Just As I Am, Nearer My God To Thee