James R. Lorensen was born September 18, 1933 in Minden, Kearney County, Nebraska, and he died on January 19, 2015 at the Colonial Villa in Alma, Nebraska at the age of 81.
He was the only son born to Andrew & Edna (Swanson) Lorensen. James grew up on a farm southwest of North Platte, Lincoln County, Nebraska where he attended Miller School, District 39, through eighth grade. He graduated from North Platte High School in 1950 then worked for a local lumber yard for a year and a half before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force for four years.
James graduated from Manhattan Bible College, Manhattan, Kansas in 1960 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. In 1968 he graduated from Phillips Graduate Seminary, Enid, Oklahoma with a Masters of Divinity Degree.
James served as a pastor of Christian Churches for 45 years. Locations where he served include: Princeton, KS; Chetopa, KS; Howard, KS; Broken Bow, NE; Urbana, IA; Shellsburg, IA; Vinton, IA; Douglass, KS; Ulysses, KS; Cimarron, KS; McCook, NE; Hoisington, KS; Galva, KS; and Smith Center, KS. He served on several committees for the Christian Church in each state.
James retired in 2003 and made his home in Phillipsburg, Kansas.
He is survived by several cousins and close friends. His parents, Andrew and Edna, preceded him in death.

A memorial service will be held Friday, Jan. 23, at 10:30 a.m. in the First Christian Church, Phillipsburg, with Pastor Paxton Jones and Pastor LeRoy Herder officiating. Graveside service & inurnment will follow at 3:00 p.m. in the North Platte Cemetery, North Platte, NE.
Cremation was chosen. Friends may sign the book on Thursday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg.
Memorial contributions may be given to the Kansas Christian Home or the Kansas Disciples of Christ