Body of seventh flood victim found

Jered Lorenz's body was found about 4 miles from where his car apparently went into Rush Creek. "He fished in that same creek that took his life," his mom said.

By Allie Shah, Star Tribune

Last update: August 21, 2007 - 11:59 PM

LEWISTON, MINN. - Winona County authorities pulled a body Tuesday from the area where a Lewiston, Minn., man's overturned car was found along Interstate 90 on Sunday after the flash floods.

The body of Jered Lorenz, 37, was found about 4 miles southeast of the spot where the car apparently went into Rush Creek, said Winona County administrator Bob Reinert.

Lorenz's death brings the number of flash flood-related deaths in southeastern Minnesota to seven.

A sheriff's investigator spotted his body tangled in some trees, and officials had to cut their way through the brush to retrieve Lorenz's body, Winona County Sheriff Dave Brand said.

Media asked to withdraw

People had gathered to watch the search Tuesday morning and, at one point, officials asked the news media to leave the area, presumably because the body had been found.

The search team included members of the Winona County Dive and Rescue Team, the National Guard, the Civil Air Patrol, and Lorenz's friends and family.

On Monday night, Nancy Lorenz talked about her son, whom everyone knew as "Jerry" or "Jer." He loved the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing. He was always wearing camouflage and jeans, she said.

He did landscaping and odd jobs for awhile before discovering his professional calling: taxidermy. Nancy Lorenz said her son taught himself the skill.

Lorenz said that she had accepted that her son had probably perished, adding, "I'm going to miss this boy with all my heart."

She also said she was touched by the number of friends and other well-wishers who had visited or called since Sunday.

"People have been bringing food," she said. "Some people I haven't seen in four or five years!"

The night of the flash floods, Jered Lorenz had been at a party near Nodine, Minn., she said. He had planned to stay overnight but apparently changed his mind and headed home.

It would have been familiar territory to him, Nancy Lorenz said, but even so the going was dangerous because of the amount of rain and the rising creek.

"He lived a mile away from where he was lost," she said. "He fished in that same creek that took his life."

Allie Shah • 651-298-1550

THE VICTIMS

David Ask, David Blackburn, Joyce Gensmer and Victor Gensmer, Jered Lorenz, John Micheel and Shirley Micheel

Allie Shah • ashah@startribune.com