Orville Paul Lohse

Born on February 20, 1940, at the dawn of World War II, Paul (Orville) Lohse passed away peacefully on March 15, 2024, after a short illness in Phoenix, Arizona. He was beloved by everyone he met in life – his family, friends, and neighbors – and his sunny disposition and calm, friendly demeanor will be missed by all.

Paul was born in Springfield Township, Ohio, to Kathryn and Paul Lohse, and lived and worked on the family farm throughout his youth along with four sisters and one brother. When he finished high school, he attended Valparaiso University where he graduated with a degree in History in 1962. After college, Paul enrolled in the Peace Corps where he served in one of the first cohorts after the Peace Corps was established by President Kennedy. During his time in the Peace Corps, Paul lived in Columbia, South America, where he provided assistance and training in a rural village.

Upon returning to the U.S., Paul met and married Rita Puder in Detroit, MI. The young married couple traveled back to Columbia where they lived together to teach English and provide help when they could.

After returning to the U.S. again, both Paul and Rita worked for a while as high school teachers in New York State. Rita gave birth to her son David, and their daughter Karen soon followed. Paul began to work in the retail industry as a more stable means of employment while Rita stayed home to raise the children. After a few years and several promotions, Paul and his family moved back to the Midwest where Paul bought and operated his own successful department store in Cassopolis, MI. Once the children were in school and no longer needed full-time care, Rita joined Paul to work at his department store, and, over the next few years, they expanded to three retail stores in the neighboring towns.

Rita died tragically after a long illness in 1993. Several years later, Paul married Shirley Fender in Niles, MI, after meeting her at a church support group. Paul soon sold his retail stores to embark on his second act in life – the two moved to Indiana where Paul attended a Lutheran seminary for several years, after which he was ordained a Minister in the Lutheran church and appointed to St. Peters Church in La Grange, Missouri. After serving as the beloved pastor at St. Peters Church for many years, Paul retired, and along with Shirley moved to Phoenix, Arizona for the dry climate and to be close to Shirley’s family.

Paul and Shirley lived in Phoenix for many years and were active members at Trinity Lutheran Church where he led bible classes and volunteered in many roles as Minister Emeritus. Shirley passed away in the summer of 2023, followed by Paul in March of 2024.

Paul is survived by his loving children David and Karen, his grandchildren Hunter, Jordan, Declan, and Selina, and his daughter-in-law Kareena and grandchildren-in-laws Trey and Kelsi. Paul will always be remembered as a gentle, loving father, husband, and friend; as a successful businessman and honored community member; as a beloved pastor; and as someone who always strove to spread kindness and understanding wherever he went.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 30 at 11:00 am at Trinity Lutheran Church & School in Litchfield Park, AZ. A separate interment ceremony will be held at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles, MI at a later date.