Louis F. Gorenz

Louis F. Gorenz, age 92, known by everyone as Lou, was called to Heaven on Thursday, June 30, 2022, with his family at his side. Lou was born to Joe and Amelia in Staunton, Illinois, April 8, 1930. He grew up in St. Elmo, Illinois and learned the value of hard work at an early age in his family’s grocery store. After venturing out into the oil fields as a driver, he joined the Air Force and was stationed at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas, where he met the former Mary Faichney. They were united in marriage April 18, 1952, in Mary’s hometown.

After his honorable discharge they moved to Los Angeles but didn’t like the faster pace. The company, Big 3 Welding Supply (now Tri-Gas) he was with, had an opening in Albuquerque, NM and that sounded like a great place to raise a family, so they moved there in 1958. He retired in 1998 and realized he could not really be retired. He tried a few different endeavors and eventually went to work with 2 of his sons in a local construction business, where he managed equipment, vehicles and delivered bids. His attitude and personality made for a lot of comraderies with the superintendents and staff for another 15 years.

Lou poured out knowledge and was always available to lend a helping hand to all of them for anything related to vehicles and repairing them. He would buy, fix up and sell vehicles throughout his life totaling over 250 vehicles. Lou also was an old car collector and loved working and talking about cars and trucks of all kinds, however he had a special love for Fords specifically a 1965 T-Bird and a 1940 Ford Deluxe that he owned since 1955. He had a passion for RV camping, boating, and fishing with family and friends along with attending NASCAR races in various locations across the US. Lou attended the Catholic Church and was blessed with a very long and happy life. He is survived by his wife, Mary; sisters, Lorene Abendroth and Leona McDonald; and 6 children, Fred and Annette Gorenz, Don and Joyce Gorenz, Maura and Mark Dahrling, Debbie Winchell, Alan and Tracy Gorenz and Gail and John Sherwood; 12 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

A Rosary will be held on Friday, July 15, 2022, beginning at 8:30 a.m., followed by a Mass at 9:00 a.m., Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 12500 Carmel Avenue NE in Albuquerque.

Burial will immediately follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery with a Reception to be held back at Prince of Peace Catholic Church. Pallbearers will be Lou’s 12 grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a Charity of your choice. We want to extend a special thanks to High Desert Hospice and the various caregivers for their loving care.