The Rev. Loren J. Van Oort, 87, of South Bend, Indiana, a devoted husband, father,
grandfather, great-grandfather, and servant of God, passed away peacefully on January
23, 2025, with his loving wife Lorraine and family by his side.
Loren was born on September 28, 1937, to the late John and Lillian Van Oort in
Sheldon, Iowa. He is survived by his beloved wife of sixty-seven years, Lorraine
(Lorrie), and three daughters, Leann (Mike) Dincolo, Lisa (Bill) Arnold, and Lila (Jeff)
Leonard. He is also survived by six grandchildren, Katie Dincolo, Joseph (Lauren) Golc,
James Dincolo, Allie (Mitchell) Alpaugh, Jennifer Golc, and Jeffrey Golc. Pastor Loren is
also survived by three great-grandchildren, Tilly Golc, Tommie Golc, and Mason
Grubbs.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John “Jack” and Lillian Van Oort, and his in-
laws, Frank & Marie Dass.
Pastor Loren earned a B.A. at Wartburg College and an M.Div.at Wartburg Seminary.
His first Call was to the Church on the Hill, Princeton, IL (1963-68). In 1968, he became
the Mission Developer and founding Pastor at Christ the King Lutheran Church in South
Bend, IN. Following his retirement at CTK, where he was named Pastor-Emeritus, he
served on a part-time basis at St. John’s Church, Nappanee, IN.
Loren was a farm boy. Raised on the family farm, first in northwest Iowa and eventually
outside the southwest Minnesota town of Fulda. Many a Sunday sermon came out of
his years on the farm with his four brothers and, finally, at age 16, a sister. He graduated
from Fulda High School, where he met the love of his life, Lorrie Dass. Loren knew he
wanted to become a pastor from an early age, so he selected Wartburg College in
Waverly, Iowa, and its affiliated seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. Following his seminary
graduation, with two young daughters, they moved to Princeton, IL. Their five years
there taught the young pastor many lessons about congregational politics and the value
of making sure his daughters were seated in the front row every Sunday.
In 1968 the Van Oorts moved to South Bend to establish Christ the King Lutheran Church.
Through the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s, Christ the King continued to grow and remain the
central focus of Loren’s professional life. At home, the girls all graduated from Clay High
School and Indiana University. Each of them married and started their own families.
Becoming grandparents was an incredible thrill for Loren and Lorrie, and it led to their
eventual retirement.
Recent years have brought increased aging challenges, but most were successfully
dealt with, particularly following a move to an assisted living facility, StoryPoint. They
enjoyed making new friends and participating in bingo, live music, senior aerobics, and
more activities.
Loren was always a charitable man. He encouraged us to respect our fellow man and
offer whatever assistance we could. He made a lasting, positive impression on
thousands of people he met along his life’s path. His wish for his legacy was to be
remembered for the wisdom, knowledge, and kindness he imparted to others, helping
them to grow and learn. As a generous member of the Christian community, he made a
memorable impact on his community.
All obituary information has been taken from the funeral home, newspaper or other online resource.
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