Ottawa County farmer led fair board

10/5/2006

OAK HARBOR, Ohio - Roger C. Lorensen, 63, an area farmer who was a former Ottawa County commissioner and a onetime director of the Ottawa County Fair Board, died of an apparent heart attack Tuesday in his home here.

Mr. Lorensen, who farmed corn, soybeans, and wheat on a family farm since his high school years, was a county commissioner from 1984 to 1988. He was the fair board director in the 1980s and 1990s.

"He always kept the public's best interest at hand," said county Commissioner Steve Arndt, who defeated Mr. Lorensen in the 1988 election.

"Roger really listened to people. He was one of those who really made sure that he stayed at the same level as his constituents," he said.

Said Ottawa County Administrator Jere Witt:

"Roger was a common man. He looked out for the common people. He said what he had to say and believed in it. And he did not worry about being politically correct."

A native of Port Clinton, Mr. Lorensen graduated from Salem-Oak Harbor High School in 1960.

He later served in the National Guard for six years.

"He was a very honest person," his wife, Barbara Lorensen, said.

"[And] he just loved people. He took time to talk to people. He liked helping people."

In his free time, Mr. Lorensen enjoyed hunting and trap shooting and coaching clay target shooting to children.

Mr. Lorensen was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Oak Harbor.

Surviving are his wife of nearly 41 years, Barbara; daughters, Beth and Angie; mother, Wilma; brother, Fred, and a grandson.

Visitation will be after 6 p.m. today in the Robinson-Walker Funeral Home, Oak Harbor. Services will be at 11 a.m., Saturday in St. Paul Lutheran Church, Oak Harbor.

The family suggests tributes to Mud Creek Trap or St. Paul Lutheran Church, both in Oak Harbor.