Joseph M. Lorsung

Joseph “Joe” Lorsung, 64, of rural Callaway, died Sunday, October 15, 2023, from health-related concerns at his residence.

Joseph Micheal Lorsung was born on February 24, 1959, to Robert and Sharon (Gullickson) Lorsung in Alexandria, MN. He graduated from Fergus Falls High School in 1977, where he participated in baseball and hockey. He was proud to be a pitcher for the VFW baseball state championship as a 9th grader. During this time Bob Lilliquist was a second dad to Joe as he played catch and practiced with him and Tim and the neighborhood gang. During these early years he and his gang formed the “Black and Blue Patrol” since they were kicked out of Boy Scouts!

During Joe's high school years, he worked at the Wahls 76 service station and began a love affair with repairing automobiles and machines. In the summers of his Jr & Sr years Joe lived with the Dennis and Bob Stock families helping with farm work as a hired hand. During high school he had many good times in the Merry Ol’ Oldsmobile with the tails lights that he could shut off to sneak away from the cops! One of his favorite stories was when he waterskied wearing his Best Man tuxedo!

Joe earned a bachelor degree at UND in Weed and Crop Management, Ruminant Nutrition and Economics. In his early years, he worked as a hot oil truck driver in the oil industry, was employed at Land O Lakes, and as a field representative for the NRA. For the last 35 years Joe was self-employed with Fort Knox Safes as the 5th largest distributer in the nation.

Joe was an expert marksman, he enjoyed local shooting clubs and the occasional trip to Argentina or Mexico to shoot doves. His favorite game to shoot was Prairie Dogs! Joe had a true love of the land and along with Bob Mohn and Roger and Al Foltz, they made it his favorite place to be. Joe was very mechanically inclined and repaired his own fleet of collectable vehicles. Joe’s strong faith kept him grounded in his walk with the Lord as witnessed by his daily scripture reading.

In recent years, along with his partner Nancy, he enjoyed travel to Cabo San Lucas, winters in Mesa, AZ, RV camping, biking, golfing and especially lake days on Lake Geneva with Nancy and her kids and grandkids.

He was preceded in death by his mother and step-father, Sharon and Ben Braun; father, Bob Lorsung; brother-in-law Brian Bakke, and niece, Gina Matter.

Joe is survived by his partner, Nancy Tillman; siblings, Lynn Bakke (Tom Smith), Jodi (Mike) Boos, and Tom Lorsung; nephews, Benton (Abigail) Bakke, Reed Matter, and Jason (Jenny) Lorsung; great-nieces, Zoe and Phoebe Bakke and Octavia and Talia Matter; step-mother, Barb Lorsung; step-siblings, Chris (Ruth) Thompson and their children Taylor and Ian, and Jeani (Tom) Trosvig and their children Madeline, Anne and Tessa. He is also survived by Nancy’s children and grandchildren, Brooke (Scott) Sievers and their children, Cade, Crosby, Baxter, Tilly, and Trigg, Stacy (Ted) Anderson and their children, Calvin and Tucker, and Lindsey (Andy) Werner and their children, Lola and Leo, and several great aunts, uncles, and friends.

Memorials are preferred to Alzheimer’s Association and the Boy Scouts of America.

Memorial Service: 11:00 a.m. Monday, October 23, 2023 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls, with visitation one-hour prior to the service at the church.

Clergy: Reverend Loren Mellum

Arrangements provided by Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls.

Online condolences may be sent to www.olsonfuneralhome.com