Kurt (Desperotto) Donn Lorenz

February 1, 2013 — October 30, 1954 (age 58)

Kurt (Desperotto) Donn Lorenz, 58, Yankton, died Friday, February 1, 2013 in his home of natural causes. Memorial Services will be at 2:00 PM, Monday, February 11, 2013 at Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Chapel, Yankton, SD with Rev. Rick Jensen & Jimmy White officiating. Visitations will begin at 12:00 PM, Monday, February 11, 2013 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory.

 Kurt was born to Donn and Fern (Krohn) Lorenz in Benson, MN on October 30, 1954. His childhood was spent in Benson wrestling, fishing and hunting. Kurt graduated from Benson High School then moved to Yankton in July of 1974 to work as a maintenance man for TCI. During this time, he married his first wife Connie. Kurt remarried in 1982 to Jorja Stevens and with this union came their daughters, Jamie and Ashley. Kurt spent most of his years collecting and selling antiques. He was full of the knowledge required to do so. Kurt and Jorja eventually opened their own “Flea Market”, which fueled his collecting of antiques. He loved spending time on the river, collecting buffalo skulls. Being quite the craftsman, he made the most beautiful jewelry. He had made a few canes or walking sticks out of diamond willows and loved seeking out projects. Kurt enjoyed making cabinets and furniture. “He was just a jack of all trades”.

Kurt married Carrie Thomas in 2000. They spent a few years of their marriage in Yankton, and then moved to New Mexico. He absolutely loved it there! While in New Mexico, he had the opportunity to meet some amazing people. He was adopted by Bearheart, Marceles Williams who was Creek Chief and Medicine man. Kurt’s adopted name was a great honor. He was called Buffalo Heart because his heart beats as a buffalo. The buffalo served others in many and almost all ways. He was very proud of this and enjoyed service of the Native Americans. In 2007, he and Carrie divorced and he moved back to Yankton to be near his loving family where he adored his grandchildren.

Kurt was an amazing, unique, and giving man. He wanted to help everyone and prayed for everyone. He is finally in a place where his pain can no longer trouble him. He will be missed.

Kurt is survived by his father, Donn Lorenz of Benson MN; his 2 daughters, Jamie (Aaron) Gereaux of Yankton, SD and Ashley (Maurice) Erickson of Fort Stewart, GA; his grandchildren, Damien and Gemma Gereaux and Parris, Nova and Evan Erickson, and nephews, Lucas Lorenz and Andrew Lorenz.