Lorenz Rohde

Lorenz Rohde, 81, Pettibone, North Dakota, died Saturday, August 9, 2003 in his farm home. Mr. Rohde was born November 16, 1921 in Pettibone, ND where he grew up. He graduated from Pettibone High School in 1939 and attended North Dakota State University for one year.

In 1941, he moved to southern California where he worked in an aircraft plant in San Diego. He was drafted into the US Army in 1942 reaching the rank of Staff Sargeant. During his military service he was selected to attend Indiana University in a special civil engineering degree program. This program was ended after the Battle of the Bulge and he was transferred to Camp Campbell, Kentucky as part of the 160th Signal Company in the 20th Armored Division. He served in 1945 as a Corps Commander of an armored radio mobile unit in the European theatre until the close of the war in Europe. For his military service he was awarded the Bronze Star.

In 1946, Lorenz Rohde returned to Pettibone where he began a farm operation. In 1947 he married former Opal Sandvik. For over 56 years they operated a diversified farm of Grade A dairy, beef, small grain and irrigated potatoes. He loved farming and delighted in the change irrigation has brought to the Pettibone area.

He was a long time Treasurer of Pettibone Township, served as a member of the boards of the Pettibone Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Pettibone School Board and the Kidder County Water Commisssion.

In 1985, Mr. Rohde suffered a stroke, but he continued to actively farm until his retirement in 2001. He enjoyed travel with his family and reading. Prior to his stroke he was an avid baseball player, bowler and golfer. For many years, he was a basketball referee in the Pettibone area. Throughout his life he was a loyal fan of sports, especially the Minnesota Twins.

Mr. Rohde is survived by his wife, Opal, three daughters, Diann (New York City, NY), Barbara (Washington, D.C.) and Susan (Minneapolis, MN), one brother, Henry (Fargo, ND) and three sisters, Joyce (Cal) Hagberg (Minneapolis, MN), Ferne (Bill) Simons (Rolla, ND) and Beverly Kaczmarski (Pettibone, ND) and one sister-in-law, Eunice Rohde (Buffalo, ND).

He was predeceased by his only son, Kirk, two brothers, Forrest (""Bud"") and Glenn and his parents.

Funeral Service: 11:00 AM, Wednesday, August 13, 2003 at Pettibone Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Pettibone, North Dakota.

Visitation: 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM, Tuesday, August 12, 2003 at Eddy Funeral Home.

Prayer Service: 7:00 PM, Tuesday, August 12, 2003 at Eddy Funeral Chapel.

Burial: Pettibone Bethlehem Cemetery, Pettibone, North Dakota.