Lawrence Wohlenhaus

Lawrence Ellis Wohlenhaus, 94, of Cumberland, Iowa, passed away October 15, 2022, in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Lawrence “Shorty” Wohlenhaus was born on September 29, 1928 in Cumberland, Iowa, to Ellis and Elma (Schaff) Wohlenhaus.  He earned his nickname while playing shortstop on the Griswold High School baseball team, where he graduated with the class of ‘46.  Lawrence, and his wife, Loretta, were long-time members of St. Timothy’s Catholic Church and held various positions on committees and councils to support the church community.  But his service to others reached far and wide.

Lawrence was a self-sufficient farmer, who, with the help of his family, raised livestock, grew crops, and managed the entire operation of the farm where he was born and raised.  He was an active member of the Iowa Pork Producers Association, well known for grilling Iowa chops at numerous events.  He also spent years involved in planning and participating in the Cass County Fair as a member of the Swine Committee Fair Board.  In 2006, Lawrence was voted the most Valuable Member of Cass Farm Service Agency FSA committee for his service from 1995 to 1998.

In his early years, Lawrence served in the U.S. Army.  He was drafted in 1951 and served two years. He was stationed at Wanju, South Korea as a heavy equipment mechanic.  As a devoted veteran, he was a member of the Griswold Color Guard, #508 Griswold American Legion, and led the 119^th Soldiers Reunion Parade as Grand Marshall. Lawrence served as the post’s past commander and volunteered many years on the Planning Committee for the Griswold Soldiers Reunion.  Even in retirement, he would travel to numerous cemeteries to honor those who served in the military by placing flags at veteran’s gravesites for Memorial Day.

Lawrence enjoyed building blue bird houses, even placing them at the Northern edge of East Ridge Park after he and his wife, Loretta, moved to a townhome in Atlantic.  Every spring, Lawrence would join a team of volunteers to plant flowers in Atlantic’s city parks.  After he and Loretta moved to Atlantic, he was known for his magnificent mums, which would bloom every fall outside the townhouse, with many an admirer stopping to take pictures of the beautiful flowers.

Despite his busy life of volunteering, he was always able to make time for his family to enjoy the finer things in life: making homemade ice cream, grilling, playing a wicked game of croquet, and bowling in a league for many years. To honor his wife, Loretta, he walked in the American Cancer Society Relay for Life annually.  Lawrence was a devoted and loving husband and father.  He was kind, quiet, giving, and always ready and willing to lend a hand to neighbors.  But when asked by one of his daughters what the best moment of his life was, he replied without missing a beat, “the day I married your mother.” May they be reunited in love as they were united in life. 

Lawrence is survived by his daughters; Susan (Marc) Topkin, of St Petersburg, Florida, and Mary Kay “MK” Wohlenhaus of Denver, Colorado; grandchild, Carlyn (Jason) Meroni of Jersey City, New Jersey and beloved nieces, nephews and friends.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Loretta; his parents; sister, Esther Ketcham; brother Roger Wohlenhaus; and grandson, Benjamin Topkin.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, November 5^th at 11:00 a.m. at St. Timothy’s – Reno Catholic Church, south of Cumberland.  The family will greet friends and relatives in the church hall prior to the service beginning at 10:00 a.m.  Inurnment, with military honors by the Griswold American Legion Post #508, will be held in the church cemetery.  Following the graveside, the family invites you to join them for lunch in the church hall. 

Memorials may be made to the family for later designation. 

Roland Funeral Service is caring for Lawrence’s family and his arrangements.  Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.