Loren Earl HARRISON

1961 - 2011  (50 years)

• Name	Loren Earl HARRISON
  Birth	18 Jan 1961	Michigan
  Gender	Male
  Death	21 Sep 2011	Carlton County, Minnesota
  Notes	Loren Earl Harrison was born January 18, 1961 to Jack and Marian Harrison in Battle Creek, Michigan. Loren was the middle child of three boys—sandwiched in between Larry, the oldest and Lynn the youngest. The Harrisons moved to Cadillac, Michigan while Loren was young and stayed there all of Loren’s growing up years. In the years subsequent to his high school graduation, Loren, perhaps inspired by the care he had given his ailing father, began his nurses training. He earned an Associate’s degree and became a registered nurse. Loren married Karen Johnson in August of 1982 where they began their married life in the twin cities. Loren and Karen had Garrett in 1985 and Rachel came along two years later in 1987. When Rachel was 14 months and Garrett was just short of turning three, Karen was tragically killed in an automobile accident, leaving Loren alone to parent two young children. In the providence of God, Loren grieved very intentionally for Karen. As he began the next chapter in his life, in God’s good plan he sent Vicki Sue Frederickson into his life. They met and it soon became clear that they were to be husband and wife. They were married on November 4, 1989 at Northwestern College. Garrett and Rachel had a new mother and other children followed in rapid succession. Onna came along in January of 1991 followed by Ella in June of 1993. In May of 1995, the last Harrison girl was born—Laura. Not quite two years later in April of 97, Jack completed what (unbeknownst to Loren and Vicki) was to be the first phase of Harrison offspring. Much will be said of Loren’s character later, but when asked how they would describe their father in one word, the Harrison tribe responded with words like, “funny,” “goofy,” “wise,” “easy-going,” “mischievous,” “trusting,” “kind-hearted,” “teacher,” ‘learner,” “curious,” and “ingenius.” Proverbs 31 promises that a godly woman will hear her children rise up and call her blessed. As a father, Loren claims this same accolade from his children who are so grateful to have been given a dad who not only knew theology, but far more importantly, lived it out before their eyes. Loren supported the family as an RN and he was a good one. He served in many different contexts including the University of Minnesota Pediatric ICU, as an Emergency Room nurse in St. Mary’s in Superior and Duluth. He was a flight nurse on Luke’s One, St. Luke’s helicopter medical team. He also served as the Assistant Head Nurse at St. Luke’s in the Neurology/Pediatrics Unit. Finally, for the past several years, he has served as a student health nurse at the Rift Valley Academy in Kijabe, Kenya—a large boarding school for the children of missionaries. He filled this slot after four years as a very popular dorm dad at the school where he lived out his theology before several high school boys as he had for his own children. Kenya has become the Harrisons true home. The countless people Loren touched in and around the academy mirrors the impact he had on this side of the world. While in Kenya, Loren and Vicki began phase two of their parenting as they adopted two beautiful African baby boys, Kent and Jeremy—ages five and six currently. As a devoted follower of Jesus, church was a very important part of Loren’s spiritual life. He grew up at Temple Hill Baptist Church in Cadillac. While in the Twin Cities with Karen, he attended Grace Church of Roseville. Upon moving to Esko, MN, they attended Calvary Christian and Missionary Alliance Church. When he and Vicki moved to Duluth, they attended Mount of Olives where Loren served in many roles. He taught adult Sunday School—being especially fond of teaching Jesus’ teaching on the Sermon on the Mount. Loren served on the church board, the trustees as well as a lengthy stint as chairman of the building committee. He also served the Senior pastor in profound ways, the most important being that of friend, confidant and giver of unconditional love and support. Loren was gifted builder, clearing all the land and acting as General Contractor for his Esko home. After building his house, perhaps his most ambitious project was refurbishing a wooden sail boat which turned out beautifully. He also loved to read, especially theology and history—military history in particular. Many other various interests fed his voracious curiosity and appetite for knowledge. He made model airplanes, collected military knives. He loved to fish and to eat fish—or just about anything else. Eating was a passion for Loren—a physical appetite to match his appetite for adventure. Loren’s adventurous spirit led him into many places. Fearing he would die before he had a chance to fulfill his dream to serve in the military, at age 30, he enlisted in the Army and served several months before receiving a medical discharge. He was very proud of the fact that he could dig the best foxhole of any of the men in his unit. Loren put his woodworking and handyman skills to work by making intricate and involved projects for his kids. He crafted everything from flutes to balance beams. Loren’s love for children was not restricted to his own kids. He loved all children. He related to kids in ways that greatly endeared him to them. He would be the first to admit that his ability to connect with kids was because of his own childlike qualities. The one outstanding character anyone who knew Loren well would name was his servant heart. There was very little he wouldn’t do to help someone. His big heart was drawn to needy people and he would sacrifice his time, talent and treasure to help those in need. Why else would a middle-aged man in his peak earning years, take his wife and six kids to Africa to work as a dorm parent or student health nurse in a missionary boarding school? Why else would a man in his mid 40’s adopt two babies nearly eight years after their last child had been born? This is only a very brief smattering of Loren’s life, some of which you will hear more about from his friends and family. Loren would hear this obituary and think, “Whoa, baby!” Those of us who remain simply thank God for the opportunity to have witnessed a life well lived and to know someone like Loren Harrison. Loren is with Jesus now, his earthly life ending this past Tuesday. He was 50.
  Person ID	I34026	Don Carlson's Tree
  Last Modified	4 Feb 2022

  
  

  Family	Karen Ruth JOHNSON,   b. 3 Jun 1960, St. Louis County, Minnesota d. 10 Sep 1988, Scott County, Minnesota (Age 28 years)
  Marriage	14 Aug 1982	Ramsey County, Minnesota
  Family ID	F10480	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	4 Feb 2022