Henry James Lorengo

Henry James Lorengo was born on July 26, 1923 in Kalispell, Montana to Emma and Severino Lorengo. It was possibly, the only time he spent overnight in a hospital, in ninety-four years, ten months and 31 days. Henry grew up on the family homestead below Tea Kettle Mountain in Columbia Falls, Montana. His family resided there until the “Great Fire” of the 1920’s devastated the area. After a brief move to St. Ignatius, Montana Henry’s family relocated to Butte, Montana in search of the means to feed their ever-growing family. Though Henry’s formal education ended after he completed the eighth grade at St. Ann’s Catholic Elementary School in Butte, this was hardly a measure of his intelligence and passion for learning. He was one of the youngest men to ever “make the grade” and became a locomotive engineer at the age of 18 with the Great Northern Railroad/Burlington Northern Railroad. Henry devoured literature and it was hard to keep up with his reading demands right up to the end. He passed this love of learning on to his children and their families. Henry retired from the railroad in April of 1986, after Ayme’s arrival. Ayme was aptly named “Henry’s Retirement Project.” Kristin and Blake maintained a life-long love of their Grandpa/Great-Grandpa having spent countless hours under the care of the Lorengo’s. They had two homes, one with their parents and one with Grandma and Grandpa. Henry cherished his years on the railroad fondly relaying the happier memories and silently documenting the more tragic parts of locomotive work. He treasured his membership in the “Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers No. 504.” He retired after 45 years of service. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Eagles, Holy Family/Holy Spirit/Catholic Church and the Lady of the Swan Valley Catholic Church. You didn’t have to know Henry very well to know he was a frugal, but also an incredibly generous man. During the Korean War he was assigned the role of supply sergeant, affording him the ability to take advantage of his nicotine free lifestyle and entrepreneurial spirit. At the end of every month, he would “auction” off his ration of cigarettes to desperate smokers when their supply ran dry. The extra income allowed him to send his entire army paycheck back to his family. He met the “catch of his life,” Mary Bianchi, at the Dance Pavilion at the Columbia Gardens, an oasis and amusement park loved by Butte locals until the mid-1970’s. Henry and Mary were united in marriage at St. Helena Catholic Church, Butte, Montana on July 15, 1951. Staying true to his prudent spirit, the happy couple was married on the bride’s birthday, taking care of 58 “extra” gifts Henry would have to purchase. Of course, we’re kidding. Mary could, and did, have anything she desired. Except, perhaps, for the satisfaction of winning the yearly argument of how old she was when they were married. She insisted she was 25 and Henry never relented in saying she was 26. Henry was preceded in death by his parents, Severino and Emma Lorengo; his wife of 58 years, Mary Helen Bianchi Lorengo; brothers George and Louis Lorengo; a baby brother; sisters Mary Rooney and Elizabeth Barrie; brothers-in-law Tom Rooney, Robbie Barrie, and Rudy Lanch; sister-in-law Lois Lorengo; nieces Kathy Lorengo and Janet Rooney; nephew David Lanch; great-grandnephew Jason Wicklander; and brother and sister-in-law Paul and Lucy Bianchi. He is survived by his brothers, John and Pete Lorengo; sister Helen Lanch; sisters-in-law Esther, Billie Jean and Judy Lorengo; daughters Pamela (Harry) Bold and Marianne (Steve) Krogstad; granddaughters Jennifer Bold, Jolynn (Dave) Orth, Krisitin (Matt) Jensen, and Ayme Krogstad; great-grandson Blake Jensen “the golden boy;” honorary granddaughter, Toni (Matt) Darlington; honorary grandson, Matthew (Brenna) Lapke; honorary great-granddaughters, Helena and Teresa Darlington; numerous nieces and nephews; their spouses and their children; and beloved friends. Henry resided in the loving care of his daughter, Marianne Krogstad, and son-in-law, Steve Krogstad, from 2012 until just before 4pm on June 25, 2018. Henry was blessed with good health, minus the expected decline that accompanies living for nearly a century, until he met his ambition of obtaining “heavenly status” on a sunny June afternoon at home in Condon, Montana in the beautiful Swan Valley. After a few emotional days with his beloved family, listening to stories and squeezing hands, receiving the Sacrament of the Sick and Holy Communion, Henry was ready to answer God’s call home. He passed with the same spirit in which he had lived, never complaining, his bright blue eyes twinkling with wonder and reverence. A special thank you to Missoula Aging Services; especially, Heatherann Wayne Seeley Lake Medical Center; Missoula Veteran Services; Partners in Home Health Care; and the Lady of the Swan Valley Catholic Church, Swan Lake, Montana for meeting his spiritual needs. To all those who supported us in our time of “need,” hugs and thank you. A funeral liturgy will be Tuesday, July 3, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Great Falls with a public viewing one hour prior to the service also at Holy Spirit. Burial will follow immediately after the service at Mount Olivet Cemetery. In lieu of a reception after the service a “Celebration of Henry’s Life” party is scheduled to be held in Condon, Montana on July 28, 2018.Please contact Steve or Marianne at skml5655@gmail.com if you are interested in attending so that we may have an accurate head count. Donations can be made to those of the donors’ choice or to the Lady of the Swan Valley Catholic Church c/o Steve and Marianne Krogstad, PO Box 1037, Condon, Montana, 59826.