Clarence Bernard "Kelly" Lorenson, 93, of 751 E. Ayer St., Ironwood, passed away peacefully after a brief illness on Monday, Jan. 26, 2009, at home in the company of family and friends. He was born June 1, 1915, in Ironwood, son of the late Carl and Anna (Peterson) Lorenson. He was raised in Ironwood, attended local schools, and graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in 1933. He attended Ironwood Junior College. He was employed as a service manager at Milavetz Auto Company in Ironwood. In 1941, he enlisted in the United States Army, and was assigned to the 9th Army Air Corps. During World War II he served in Great Britain and Europe, participating in the battles for Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland and Central Europe. He was awarded the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with four Bronze Battle Stars, Distinguished Unit Badge, Meritorious Unit Award and Good Conduct Medal, and earned five Overseas Service Bars. Following his honorable discharge as a Sergeant from the Army in 1945, he joined the United States Air Force, and was again honorably discharged in 1948. Following the war he was employed by the Lake Superior District Power Company as a surveyor. Progressing through positions of increasing responsibility, he retired from Northern States Power Company in 1975 as the superintendent of Lands and Rights-of-Way. He spoke often on how much he enjoyed the people he worked with and the associated outdoor work activities. Good enough was never good enough for Clarence. During his work life and retirement he was a caregiver for several family members. He spent his retirement years in Ironwood, enjoying yard work, gardening and maintaining the family cottage at Lake Gogebic. Clarence was a life member of Ironwood American Legion Post 5; life member, past treasurer and council member of Salem Lutheran Church; past member of the Ironwood Planning Commission; and community volunteer. He was an avid sports fan, and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He is survived by a sister-in-law, Lorraine Lorenson, Okemos; three nephews, Charles (Mary Lou), Ironwood, Robert (Mary), Hague, N.Y., and David (Patti), Easton, Conn.; three nieces, Karen Sharpe, North Las Vegas, Blisse (Todd) Adams, Okemos, and Joan Elliot, Schenectady, N.Y.; numerous great- and step-great-nephews and -nieces; great-great-nephews and -nieces; and a very special caregiver, April Seamandel of Montreal, Wis. Besides his parents, Clarence was preceded in death by sisters, Astrid Erickson and Linnea Lorenson; brothers, Arthur, Alvin and Gunnar; sisters-in-law, Ellen and Ruth Lorenson; brother-in-law, Rutger F. Erickson; and nephew, Ronald Sharpe. At Clarence's request, cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held Thursday, Feb. 12, at 11 a.m., at Salem Lutheran Church in Ironwood, with the Rev. Francis Strong officiating. Committal services will take place at the church, where full military rites will be accorded by the Ironwood American Legion Post 5 Honor Guard. Luncheon will follow in the church fellowship hall. Spring inurnment will be in Riverside Cemetery, Ironwood. The family will receive relatives and friends at the church one hour prior to the service on Thursday, Feb. 12. Memorial contributions may be made to Regional Hospice or Salem Lutheran Church. To view Clarence's obituary online, sign the guestbook and express condolences, visit www.mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood