Loren G. Fittje, 85, of Columbus, Nebraska, died Sunday, July 18, 2021, at Brookestone Acres in Columbus.

The funeral service will be held on Friday, July 23, at 10:30 AM, at St. John's Lutheran Church (12.5 north), rural Columbus, with Rev. Brad Birtell and Rev. Paul Rempfer officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery with military honors by The American Legion Hartman Post 84 Honor Guard. Visitation will be on Thursday from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM at Gass Haney Funeral Home and continue on Friday from 9:30 AM until service time at the church. There will be a family prayer service at 10:15 AM on Friday at the church. Memorials are suggested to Lutheran Hour Ministries. The funeral service will be broadcast live on Gass Haney Funeral Home Facebook page.

Loren G. Fittje was born December 11, 1935, in Platte County, Nebraska, to Edwin and Lucy (Martensen) Fittje. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church (LCMS). Loren attended Platte County District 21 Grade School, St. John's Lutheran Grade School, Platte County District 30, and graduated from Platte Center High School. He attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln for one year. Loren enlisted in the United States Army on July 21, 1955, and was honorably discharged on July 19, 1957, serving during the Korean War.

On July 27, 1969, Loren was united in marriage to Arloa Bakenhus at Christ Lutheran Church, rural Columbus. They made their home on a farm east of Tarnov, Nebraska. Loren farmed all of his life. They moved into Columbus in the fall of 2000. Loren was an active and faithful member of St. John's Lutheran Church where he had served as a Trustee, Elder, and a member of the school board. He was also involved with Lutheran Laymen's League where he had served as Vice President. Loren centered his life around faith, family, and farming, and will be missed by all.

Loren is survived by:
Son – Mark (Ruth) Fittje of Humphrey, NE
Grandson – Mitchell Fittje of Humphrey, NE
Granddaughter – Deanna Fittje of Humphrey, NE
Sister – Marilyn Cox of Newman Grove, NE

Loren was preceded in death by:
Parents – Edwin and Lucy Fittje
Wife – Arloa Fittje
Brother-in-law – Robert Cox

Service Folder Information
To everything there is a season,

And a time to every purpose

under the heaven.

A time to plant and

a time to harvest ...
Taken from Ecclesiastes, Chapter 3




As God sows and reaps

Each tiny seed in the soil,

He cares for us from first light

And far beyond our earthly toil.







In Loving Memory Of

Loren G. Fittje

Born
Wednesday, December 11, 1935
Platte County, Nebraska

Entered Into Rest
Sunday, July 18, 2021
Columbus, Nebraska

Service
Friday, July 23, 2021 10:30 AM
St. John's Lutheran Church (12.5 N)
Columbus, Nebraska

Officiant
Rev. Brad Biretll
Rev. Paul Rempfer

Music
Julie Oehlrich – Organist & Soloist
"How Great Thou Art"
Congregational Hymns
"Amazing Grace"
"Chief Of Sinners Though I Be"
"I Know That My Redeemer Lives"

Casket Bearers
Brad Cox
Jim Cox
Jon Gehring
Steve Gehring
Jason Fittje
Jeff Martensen

Interment
St. John's Lutheran Cemetery
Columbus, Nebraska

Military Honors
The American Legion Hartman Post 84 Honor Guard