Lorenz John Endress

Lorenz John Endress, 95, passed away on Wednesday, April 8, 2025, surrounded by his daughters. Lorenz was born November 17, 1929 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the son of Lorenz Andrew and Minnie Rose (Diehm) Endress.

Lorenz served proudly in the United States Army as a PFC from 1951 – 1953. After returning home from the Army, he moved to Missouri, where he met his future wife, working on her family’s farm. Lorenz and Lela May were then united in marriage on November 15, 1953, and to this union five children were born: Jerrie, Cheryl, Dale, Lela, and Patricia.

In 1958, the family moved to Wichita, Kansas, where he went to work in the aircraft industry, starting at Boeing, then to Learjet, then returned to Boeing where he retired.

Lorenz was an avid outdoorsman, he loved to hunt Deer, Pheasant, Prairie Chicken; as well as going fishing in Missouri and the Colorado Mountains. The adventures he was most proud of were a moose hunt in Canada and elk hunt in Colorado. Lela and Lorenz traveled often and visited Germany, Alaska, Hawaii, Jamaica and almost all 50 states.

Lorenz was preceded in death by wife, Lela May Endress, Daughter, Cheryl K Nation, parents Lorenz and Minnie Endress, Brothers Norbert, Donald, and sister Mary.

Survived by daughter Jerrie Dayton (Stuart), son Dale L Endress, daughter Lela Barnum (Craig), daughter Patricia Johnson; grandchildren, Diana Ratliff (Linden) and Drew Nation, Paige Barnum, Maxwell Dayton (Kellie), Brooke Barnum Berntson (Samuel), Halee Morros (Derrek), Elizabeth, Emilie, and Evie Johnson. Also survived by great grandchildren, Greysen Phillips, Agatha Morros, Vivienne Ratliff, Augustus Ratliff, and Grant Berntson; and baby boy Dayton arriving soon.

Visitation will be held from 9:30 AM ~ 10:00 AM, on Friday, April 11, 2025; Funeral Service will follow at 10:00 AM at Resthaven Mortuary, 11800 West Highway 54, Wichita, Kansas 67209. Interment will follow at Resthaven Gardens of Memory, Garden of Freedom, Wichita.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial in Lorenz's honor has been established with: Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, 512 SE 25th Avenue, Pratt, Kansas 67124.