George "Georgie" Jurdgen Lorenzen

Death Brings Relief to Georgie Lorenzen Suffering With Lukemia Since March

Thon book No. 3

The pain and suffering caused by the dread disease of leukemia ended for George Lorenzen, 10year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Jurdgen (Jake) Lorenzen, last Wednesday afternoon at 3:30 o'clock.

Early in March this year it was discovered that he had the disease and shortly later he was taken to Children's Hospital in Denver, where he was treated for some time. He then returned home for a while, but when his condition became worse late in July he was again returned to Denver. In September at the boy's urgent request, he was again brought home.

Earlier Wednesday he went into a coma, then rallied to recognize his parents, describe some beautiful thoughts and sing before saying good-bye, apparently aware that death was to bring relief.

The return home had been happy for him despite the pain. His room became a maze of model airplanes and other things that he and his dad had worked at together. As he could, he worked at his Cub Scouting and looked forward to the time when he could again get out with the other boys. Countless letters and cards came to him from far and wide. He was greatly interested in the Lusk High School football team, several of whose games were played close to his home.

"Georgie" as he was familiarly known, was born in Lusk on June 23, 1939, and most of his life was lived here. The family did live a few months in Iowa while Mr. Lorenzen was attending a U. S. Naval training school during the war. Following Mr. Lorenzen's discharge from the service the family move to Sterling, Colo. for a year.

It was at Sterling that Georgie became a Cub Scout a year ago in June, and after the family returned to Lusk he transferred his membership here. His mother became a Den Mother, and the den of boys met in the basement of the Lorenzen home.

George would have entered the fifth grade in Lusk schools this year had his health permitted. It was thus appropriate that the newly organized children's choir of Fifth and Sixth graders of the Congregational Church should sing at his funeral service.

Funeral services were held from the Peet Mortuary Saturday afternoon at 2:00 o'clock with the Rev. Lawrence Juell of the Congregational Church officiating. George had been a member of the Congregational Sunday School.

Organ music was provided by Mr. J. P. Watson, and the children's choir under the direction of Mrs. Dale Bardo sang "Rock of Ages," a favorite of Georgie, and "This Is My Father's World." Miss Judith Watt was accompanist.

The crowd that filled the mortuary to capacity and the mass of flowers evidenced the tribute to the little boy and his family. Always attentive to things of beauty, George had enjoyed much the flowers that had been brought to him.

Surviving besides his parents are a sister, Kay; his paternal grandmother, Mrs. Clara Lorenzen; his maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Grover Barnhart, North Loup, Neb. and a number of aunts and uncles.

Mr. and Mrs. Barnhart, because of ill health, were unable to attend the services. A brother of Mrs. Lorenzen, Charles Barnhart of Seattle flew here, and then took the Huff charter plane on to North Loup to visit his parents. An aunt and uncle of Mrs. Lorenzen, Mr. and Mrs. Art Birk, North Platte, Neb. were also here, as were Mr. and Mrs. Warren Schroefel of Cody and Mrs. Lyle Miles and daughter Lola of Gillette.

Casket bearers were Garry Paisley, Graydon Hoblit, Bert Gibson, and M. S. Jordan. Lusk Cub Scouts attended in a body.

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