When I was born there were three men in my family with the name Lorenz Claussen. There was me, my uncle Lorentz (yes, the spelling is different, but it is the same name) Andrew and my grandfather, Lorentz Arthur. Sixteen years before my birth my Great Grandfather Lorentz Albert was around. For a very long time there have always been 3 Lorentz Claussen’s walking around the earth. Then in 1999, my Grandpa Lorentz passed and there were only two left. Last week I learned that since March 2022 there was only one of us left. Every family has their story, and mine is no different. I didn’t know my grandpa or my uncle, but I was connected with them through our shared name. I could feel the history, the family story, the honor shared in sharing a name with men throughout history. It may sound odd, but it is real to me.
On December 29, 2022, I opened FamilySearch to do a little work on family history. This is nothing new, I’m logged in about once a week. Family history has been a regular part of my life since I was twelve. I wasn’t expecting anything new; I was expecting to just add a few sources or add a few locations to life events. But instead, I opened my family tree and found that FamilySearch had added a death date to my uncle’s record. In disbelief I told my wife and then I called my aunt to see if she had heard anything about this. As I read the record, I learned that Uncle Andy had passed away on March 16, 2022. I quickly learned that my aunt and father were not aware of their brother’s death. Our family was completely in the dark.
To provide a little background. Uncle Andy was born in 1949. Andy suffered from epilepsy and other disabilities. When he was young my grandparents did their best to care for him. But I have been told, that when Andy was having “episodes” he became very violent and would beat the tar out of those around him. As he grew older and much taller, bigger and stronger, my grandparents couldn’t keep him or their other children safe. The hard decision, and the custom at the time, was to make Andy a ward of the state. Andy spent the rest of his life being cared for by the state. From time to time my father and aunt would pick Andy up for an outing, but his violent outbursts were unpredictable and dangerous. As time went on the family would check in on him from a distance.
I’m about a week and a half from learning that my uncle has passed away and my thoughts have been on him all week. There is an emptiness in my heart. Even though my family situation did not allow for a relationship with my uncle or grandfather, I always knew that I wasn’t the only one. That I shared with them our family history and it was manifest through our common first name. I find that I feel lonely but at the same time I’m not. Needless to say this experience is odd.
Even though I’m parted from these men right now, I know that they are in a much better place. My Uncle Andy no longer suffers from those things that took him away from his family. Andy has been reunited with his mother and father and the generations that came before. I’m am certain that the family reunion that occurred back in march was wonderful and glorious. Heaven truly rejoiced as this reunion occurred. As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints I have learned and have a testimony of the plan of salvation. I know that our Heavenly Father has a plan for each of us and often it isn’t an easy one. But as we turn to our Father in Heaven he will provide what we need. I also know that our Heavenly Father has provided a way that families can be together forever. Through the sacred ordinance of sealing, a husband and wife can be sealed together for eternity and that children who are either sealed to their parents or born in the sealing covenant are sealed together as an eternal family. This knowledge brings me joy, knowing that Uncle Andy, Grandma Betty and Grandpa Lorentz are once again united, never to be separated from each other ever again. I too, one day, will be reunited with these family members again to never be parted.
Today I am the last Lorenz Claussen from my family to walk on the earth, but I am not alone. I have a beautiful wife, three fantastic children and a very kind son-in-law. My heart and family is full of life and new adventures. When it is time, I will be reunited with all my family and friends. Through the atonement of Jesus Christ and the ordinances provided in sacred Temple I will be reunited with my eternal family. I am grateful for the love of our Heavenly Father who has provided everything for us.
I am grateful and honored to be Lorenz Claussen, a member of a family who knows and loves our Heavenly Father. To my Uncle Andy I send my love and gratitude that we could share a name with each other. Until we meet again.
By Larry